Victorian Premier Cricket: Casey South Melbourne to meet Carlton in grand final

On a nine-match winning streak – and armed with ace leggie Ruwantha Kellepotha – the Swans are out to win their first premiership since 1967-68.

The last Swans team to make a District/Premier grand final, in 1987-88. Pic. Joffa Mark Collection.

Cheer, cheer the red and the white.

And if you like an underdog, cheer for them with all your might.

Casey South Melbourne finished 15th last season.

Twelve month on it’s into the Victorian Premier Cricket grand final against Carlton at the Albert Ground this Saturday.

It’s been a stirring rise for the Swans, who have won their past nine matches to surge into premiership contention.

The club formerly known as South Melbourne last played in a grand final in 1987-88. And it last won the premiership in 1967-68.

On Saturday the Swans saw off Richmond in the preliminary final at Casey Fields, going through to the final match of the season against the only side it didn’t play in the home-and-away fixtures.

And again there were starring performances from leg-spinner Ruwantha Kellepotha and opening batsman Luke Manders, two of the players who came into the team this season.

Kellepotha grabbed 4-32 off 8.5 overs as the Swans, defending 192, routed the Tigers for 136.

His haul included the wicket of young state player Jake Fraser-McGurk, caught by the sticky-palmed Chris Benedek at slip (and when Fraser-McGurk headed for the changerooms he bit back at a spectator who told him he’d played a “good cameo’’).

“A ripping leg-spinner, took the outside edge and it was snapped up by Chris Benedek, who’s got as good as hands in slip as I’ve seen,’’ was Carr’s summary of the dismissal.

“He (Kellepotha) looked threatening with every ball yesterday. He bowls wicket-taking balls so often.’’

Kellepotha now has 36 wickets for the season, 45 if you include Victorian Super Slam figures – not bad for a fellow who for the previous eight seasons played cricket in the Dandenong District association.

Ruwan Kellepotha has captured 36 wickets this season for the Swans.

Carr declared him “the best spinner in Premier Cricket, if not the state’’ and said he should be playing higher cricket.

The former Sri Lankan first-class player is preparing for Australian citizenship, removing the need for him to be listed as an overseas player.

Carr said the Swans wanted a total “with a two in front of it’’ and although they fell short of 200 they thought they had something for their bowlers to defend.

He said CSM had identified Fraser-McGurk, who flew back from the state game in Perth to play for the Tigers, and Andrew Humphries as the key wickets.

Kellepotha accounted for Fraser-McGurk and left-arm paceman Jackson Fry (2-30) had Humphries caught behind for 20. That left Richmond 6-110, which became 7-114 when Fry picked up Jon D’Rozario (1).

In the Swans innings, Manders crafted 67 and in the process went past 600 runs for the season. It’s worth remembering he missed the first three rounds. He’s had an exceptional season. He’s an exceptional player.

Carr said there was great excitement at the club.

“But at the same time it’s not over the top,’’ he said.

“It’s a really balanced feeling, just enjoying the moment … as you would expect, it’s a really good feeling … but we know there’s still more to do.’’

Carlton champion Evan Gulbis. Picture: Andy Brownbill

He said the Blues, who defeated minor premier St Kilda in the preliminary final at Princes Park, were a formidable combination, calling on experienced and talented players of the calibre of Evan Gulbis and Brayden Stepien.

Carlton was a finals-hardened team and there was no doubt the Swans would go in as “big underdogs’’.

Carr said Kellepotha would be an important figure in the grand final.

“Carlton haven’t seen him. They’re the team that we missed. They haven’t seen him and a few others either,’’ he said.

“We probably know their side better than they know ours, for whatever that’s worth.’’

Former Australian captain Graham Yallop was coach of the Swans in their last grand final team, when they lost to Collingwood.

Yallop was later president of the club and was instrumental in its move to Casey Fields in Cranbourne ahead of the 2006-07 season.

Future Test men Damien Fleming, a bowling coach with the Swans this season, and Wayne Phillips were also in the team.