Ranked 20 to 1: The best Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association cricketers since 2000
Who is Mornington Peninsula’s greatest player since 2000? We’ve already revealed the best 60 and now we’ve ranked them from 20 to 1.
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Cricket on the Mornington Peninsula has flourished this century, with a collection of champions and legends making their mark on the competition.
After much research and thought, we named the top 60 MPCA cricketers since 2000.
And now, we’ve put the best of the best in order, ranking the top 20.
Did we get it right?
NO. 60-21 (ALPHABETIC ORDER)
Glenn Barclay: Crib Point
The unassuming seamer toiled away for the best part of this century for his beloved Magpies. Barclay’s best summer came in 2015-16 when he took 47 wickets — with a best of 9-24 — to take Crib Point to the Provincial decider, and win the Wedgwood Medal. He’s snared nearly 500 First XI wickets at just below 20. His loyalty to Crib Point is unrivaled, having played his first game for the club as a seven-year-old.
Neil Barfuss: Heatherhill, Frankston YCW, Flinders
Wherever Barfuss has played, success has typically followed. The all-rounder has won five flags in the MPCA, the first being in 2005-06 and the most recent being in 2017-18. Barfuss is still leading Heatherhill in Provincial and bowling as tightly as ever.
Rob Bedford: Frankston YCW
The champion was still a force in the early 2000s, helping the Stonecats to a Provincial flag in 2001-02. Continued to churn out runs, including a sparkling century in 2007-08 when he put up 432 runs at 48. His deeds at Country Week, of course, are legendary.
Shane Beggs: Frankston YCW, Heatherhill, Flinders
Made runs and played in premierships wherever he went. A craftsman at the crease, once in he was difficult to dismiss and had a big appetite for runs, scoring more than 5000 for Flinders in 15 years — and that followed a productive stint at Heatherhill. A big-game player, Beggs made 100 and shared a 170-run partnership with Joey Lane (85no) to help Frankston YCW win the 2001-02 grand final over Baden Powell at RM Hooper Oval.
Matt Blake: Heatherhill, Crib Point
The small top-order bat has compiled a consistent career across two clubs. He burst onto the scene with Heatherhill in the early 2000s, making 54 and 27no in the Hawks’ 2005-06 premiership and was named in the club’s Team of the Decade. He moved to Crib Point, where he has captained the club and won a league medal. He’s made one century — a marathon 137 against Rye in 2012-13 — and has developed his leg spin to add another layer to his all-round capabilities. He was one of the better gloveman in the competition before going back to his leggies.
Justin Bridgeman: Long Island, Baxter, Ballam Park, Tyabb
The former Premier player has been a consistent performer with bat and ball over a long period. Coached Long Island between 2011-16, including a splendid ‘12-13 season when he scored 489 runs at 61. Went on to have premiership success at Baxter. And one of the MPCA’s greatest ever Country Week players.
Michael Burke: Long Island
The talented footballer has been a gun cricketer, too, compiling an outstanding record for Long Island. In over 200 first XI matches, Burke has put up 5000 runs at 32, with five centuries. He made 70no to steer the Islanders to a grand final victory in 2008-09.
Travis Campbell: Langwarrin
Joined Langwarrin in 2015-16 after a fine career on turf pitches and quickly established himself as one of the MPCA’s leading players with his fiery fast bowling, hard-hitting batting and wholehearted fielding. Led Langwarrin to great success, Provincial premierships and a record Twenty20 winning streak. All up, he’s taken over 200 wickets at 20 and hit over 3000 runs at 25.
Mal Coutts: Langwarrin, Tyabb, Somerville, Balnarring
A five-time premiership player at Langwarrin, Coutts bowled thunderbolts and brought fire and brimstone. He took over 400 first XI wickets after the year 2000, most of them for Langy to help his home club become an MPCA force. Coutts also took 98 wickets in a three-season stint at Somerville. Also a capable lower order batter known for his clean hitting.
Chris Dew: Pearcedale, Red Hill
Guided Pearcedale to two amazing premierships — one of them reverse outright — before having another stint at Frankston Peninsula. Over his career at both clubs he has gathered over 3000 runs at 35 and taken nearly 200 wickets at 17.
Isuru Dias: Hastings
Underrated, Dias was one of the MPCA’s best pacemen and gave Hastings tremendous service, taking 386 wickets at 14.2 over 15 years. His most productive season was in 2017-18 whe he took 48 wickets at 9.3. His best figures were 9-44 against Balnarring in ‘09-10 while he claimed 11 wickets in a match against Seaford Tigers in ‘17-18.
Henry Dolphin: Crib Point, Moorooduc, Frankston YCW
Dolphin landed from Guyana 25 years ago and made his way to Crib Point. The aggressive opening batter and leg-spin bowler steered the Magpies to the premiership at the start of this century, carrying his bat for just 30 runs in the grand final. He won two league medals with the Magpies and did his best to deliver them another premiership almost 10 years later. His journey took him to Moorooduc and Frankston YCW before heading east. He’s still playing today, pummelling bowlers to all parts at age 59.
Dwayne Field: Flinders, Heatherhill
Over a 20-plus year career in the MPCA, Field has been a consistent wicket taker with his accurate pace bowling. He’s taken over 350 wickets for Flinders, including a haul of 50 in 2003-04. He had four seasons at Heatherhill between 2005-09, playing a leading role in two Provincial flags and collecting over 90 wickets. He returned to Flinders and led the Sharks to a flag in ‘10-11 and has been a fantastic servant of the club.
Matt Foon: Mornington
Damaging with the ball, destructive with the bat. Foon won his first Wedgwood Medal as a 21-year-old in 2010-11 before taking it home again in 2018-19. His ‘18-19 summer was sublime, crunching 526 runs at 43.83 and capturing 27 wickets at 14.78. Add Foon’s individual records to his 2013-14 premiership as captain-coach and the all-rounder has a complete resume.
John Forrest: Old Peninsula, Langwarrin, Long Island
A premiership player in 2000-01 at Langwarrin, former Victorian under-17 fast bowler Forrest found his true home at Peninsula Old Boys, where he set about forging a superb record as a left-arm spinner, putting the Pirates on the cricket map. He has been a key player in multiple premierships, taking more than 300 wickets and scoring over 3000 runs, as well as being a Country Week regular.
Shaun Foster: Carrum, Main Ridge
Has been a top local footballer. But he’s also a fine cricketer, as he’s proven in a long career at Carrum (over 5000 runs at 33 and over 100 wickets) and three run-filled seasons at Main Ridge, yielding 1900 runs at 38, with four tons. Tall and technically pleasing, he had a golden summer for Carrum in 2020-21, cracking 668 at 55.67, including two tons.
Jonny Guthrie: Delacombe Park
One of the more prolific opening batters of this century, Guthrie has over 5000 runs with an average of 30. He’s crunched three tons, 35 half-centuries and was selected as opener and wicket-keeper in the club’s Team of the First 50 Years. He’s won eight batting average awards at the club and is on his way to adding another this summer.
Jason Hamilton-Smith: Heatherhill
The Heatherhill hurry-master was the most lethal opening batter in the MPCA in the early 2000s, thrashing bowlers to all parts as the Hills enjoyed a golden era, winning two Provincial flags and the statewide VB Twenty20 Cup at the MCG. “Hammer’’ blasted 695 and 509 runs in successive seasons between 2005-07, including scores of 164 and 154.
Corey Hand: Carrum, Seaford Tigers
A terrific all-rounder, Hand bowled rapidly and oozed class with the bat. He was at the top of his game between 2011-14 when he took 43, 55 and 32 wickets in successive seasons at Seaford Tigers, and hit over 1000 runs in that time, to help the Tigers claim a Subbies flag in ‘12-13. He also won back-to-back Thompson Medals. Was also a star at Carrum.
Corey Harris: Rye, Sorrento, Mt Martha
Harris started at Sorrento as a junior, made brief visits to Rye and Mt Martha before returning to his home club. The opening bat announced himself by taking home the 2006-07 Cecil Eeles Award for the most promising player under 21 and would later go on to fulfil his potential. Majority of Harris’ runs for Sorrento have come in Provincial, where he holds the record for most club runs in that flight. Harris also holds a MPCA record for the highest opening stand, adding 395 with Steve Gale before the fall of the first wicket. Add all his individual accolades with a handful of flags, Harris is a Sorrento star.
Luke Herrington: Crib Point
When Crib Point was at its strongest in Provincial through 2000-2015, it was largely due to star all-rounder Herrington. He would take the new ball, jag it both ways, before blasting bowlers out of the attack from No. 3. Commonly known down at the nest as ‘The Chief’, Herrington won the Wedgwood Medal in 2006-07. In his knock of 185 against Moorooduc, he forced the tennis players on the courts behind the pavilion to keep an eye on the cricket after a series of massive sixes.
Lyle House, Mt Eliza, Rosebud
The Mt Eliza first XI games record holder captained the Mounties to a premiership in 2011-12 and established himself as one of the best all-rounders of the past two decades, his leggies and big-hitting proving match winning. He left Mt Eliza to coach Rosebud to a flag in 2020-21.
Adeel Hussain: Sorrento, Rye, Baxter, Tootgarook, Heatherhill
The Englishman joined Sorrento in 2005 and has embarked on a journey across the Mornington Peninsula since. In his travels, the speedster has collected 232 wickets at just 15. He’s played a crucial role in a number of premierships, including Heatherhill’s triumphant 2022-23 flag.
Patrick Jackson: Pines
The quickie has been a regular wicket-taker in Pines’ first XI since his opening season in 2012-13. He’s captured over 250 wickets at an average of 16 with 20 or more wickets in five seasons. He looks destined for a Team of the Year appearance as Pines roars towards the Provincial finals. Jackson has also contributed with the bat this year, scoring handy runs when his team needs them the most.
Darren Kerr: Hastings, Mornington, Dromana, Rye, Rosebud, Somerville
Bounced around a bit but was a fine player; a powerful left-hand bat and crafty slow bowler. Coached clubs, was a premiership player and Country Week star. Made centuries at Hastings, Dromana and Rosebud.
Joey Lane: Frankston YCW, Moorooduc
Pumped out 2764 runs at 40.6 in five seasons at Moorooduc, including 546 and 630 runs in the Ducs’ back-to-back flags in 2006-07 and ‘07-08. All this after playing a starring role in a Frankston YCW premiership in 2001-02. A fine player.
Adrian Mack: Pines, Langwarrin, Baxter, Mornington
The left-arm medium pacer was one of the most competitive bowlers the MPCA has seen; he would work batters over with swing, rigid accuracy and guile. Forging a hard-edge at Pines, where he started out, Mack played in Frankston Peninsula’s inaugural game, and made a big impact in District cricket before returnign to the MPCA and taking hundreds of wickets. Won a Wedgwood Medal in 2001-02.
Joel Malcolm: Delacombe Park
The reliable top-order bat is in his 20th season of first XI cricket, where he has amassed over 5000 runs at an average north of 33. Malcolm started the year with seven centuries and 25 half centuries. His loyalty to the Parkers has been second to none.
Jason Mathers: Mt Martha, Mt Eliza, Rosebud, Mornington
The feisty left-hander forged an excellent record in the MPCA. Good enough to make 157 for Frankston Peninsula in District cricket against the might of Melbourne at the Albert Ground in 2001, Mathers returned to the local association in 2003 and was a consistent run scorer with Mornington, Mt Eliza and Rosebud — coaching the latter two to premierships.
Ryan McQueen, Seaford, Frankston YCW
Crunched runs, took wickets...McQueen has built a terrific record in the MPCA, yielding over 7000 runs, at 28. He has powered Seaford’s climb with several 500-run seasons, the best in 2021-22 when he peeled off 561 at 43.1. A big-game player, he made 167 against Tyabb in a semi-final in ‘19-20.
Mathew Meagher: Heatherhill, Seaford Tigers
The talented all-rounder took over 300 wickets at 18 and scored over 3000 runs at 20 across two decades. Was pivotal in Heatherhill’s 2007-08 premiership, taking 35 wickets at 15. Had two bountiful seasons at Seaford Tigers between 20014-16, blitzing 600 runs at 35, including a hand of 148no against Carrum.
Kristian Miller: Heatherhill
Heatherhill’s lynchpin has accumulated a scratch under 5000 First XI runs at an average of 30 across his career. But it’s when his runs have come that have been more impressive; in the two premierships the Hawks have won in recent years, Miller has been 64no and 75no at the point of victory. He’s made four centuries to go with 27 half-centuries and remains Heatherhill’s most prized wicket. To go with his feats with the bat, Miller has also held onto over 100 dismissals as a gloveman.
Jason Nagel: Rosebud, Mt Eliza
One of Rosebud’s best, where he was a 13-time club champion, 300-game player and club president. A competitive, skilful and accurate paceman, who moved the ball in the air and off the pitch, he took 500 first XI wickets after the year 2000, including a stunning 55-wicket season in 2014-15, which he followed with 47 scalps the season after. Also a handy middle order batter, “Jugga’’ won the Thompson medal in 2010-11 and was pivotal in Rosebud premierships.
Simon Parrott: Heatherhill, Flinders, Langwarrin
Few hit the ball harder than Parrott, who blazed 1628 runs at 36.1 across five glorious seasons at Heatherhill from 2003-09, helping the Hills to multiple premierships. Went on to win flags at Flinders, where he hit 1578 runs at 37.5, and Langwarrin, cracking tons along the way.
Stuart Peck: Boneo, Rosebud
The reliable batter hit this century in a divine purple patch, quickly taking out a District league medal in 2002-03. It wasn’t a flash in the pan, as Beck registered another three tons the following year in yet another golden summer. He averaged over 40 for Boneo, largely due to his ability to convert half-centuries into massive hundreds.
Wade Pelzer: Old Peninsula
The left-hander is a Pirates all-time great, having consistently churned out runs, taken wickets and fielded brilliantly in the club’s rise to the top of the MPCA. With nine centuries, including an unbeaten 182 against Mt Eliza in 2018-19, and over 7000 runs at 31, he’s a genuine gun.
Luke Popov: Mornington
If Luke Popov wasn’t taking wickets for the Bulldogs, he was making runs; his all-round ability ensured he contributed to a game one way or another. He took 30 wickets at 13.5 in Mornington’s 2013-14 premiership season, including 5-35 in the grand final win over Sorrento. One of Mornington’s finest, Popov tallied over 4500 runs at 27 and 370 wickets at 17.
Luke Rus: Tyabb
Rus won seven club championships and was the Yabbies’ heart and soul for two decades. He was still dominating in his twilight years, taking Tyabb to two grand final appearances in the two successive white-ball seasons during Covid. The modest champion he is, he’s drifted into retirement quietly without any fuss.
Chamika Sattambi: Baxter
A slinger like Malinga, Sattambi joined Baxter in 2014 and quickly formed a formidable pace partnership with Baxter’s star striker Dale Irving. The former Sri Lankan first-class paceman took 36 wickets in Baxter’s premiership season in ‘14-15, was also pivotal in another flag in ‘16-17 and captured 8-47 in a semi-final in ‘18-19. All up he took over 200 wickets for Baxter.
Andrew Tweddle: Ballam Park, Long Island
Took over 200 wickets for Ballam Park between 2002-09 before adding another 250 in a hugely successful 11-year stint with Long Island, highlighted by multiple premierships. Quick enough and possessing seam and swing, Tweddle’s biggest weapon was perhaps his slower ball that frequently deceived batters and resulted in wickets. Batters never felt comfortable against him.
Marc Uccello: Baxter, Mt Eliza, Mornington
With swing, accuracy and pressure, the medium pacer made life tough for opening batters and set up many a Baxter victory on his way to 200-plus wickets at 16. A Mornington premiership player, Uccello also coached Mt Eliza and in 2003-04 and took 39 wickets at 12.5 to get the Mounties into a grand final.
Matt Whelan: Tootgarook, Mt Eliza, Rye and Delacombe Park
The MPCA journeyman has one of the more impressive individual records in the competition since the turn of the century. In excess of 5000 runs – at an average of 31 – accompanied by more than 300 wickets at just 18. He took home the league medal in 2009-10 and did so again in 2015-16.
Cameron Williams: Boneo
Williams counts as one of his club’s greatest players, taking more than 400 wickets and scoring 4200 runs over the past two decades. A strong and competitive paceman and a big-hitter with the bat, he’s also been a loyal, one-club player — an underrated star of the MPCA. He won a Betts Medal in 2009-10.
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