Brayden Stepien destroys Northcote as Carlton claims Super Slam final
Northcote’s bowlers could only look on in wonder as Brayden Stepien produced one of the most destructive displays of power hitting this season, inspiring Carlton to back-to-back Super Slam titles.
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Memo to Big Bash League clubs: don’t sleep on Evan Gulbis and Brayden Stepien.
Carlton’s destructive opening batsmen produced two of the most brutal innings of the season on Sunday to inspire the Blues to back-to-back Vic Super Slam Renegades Conference titles and securing a spot on the national stage.
After disposing of Fitzroy Doncaster in the semi-final, Carlton then demolished Northcote in the conference final at Princes Park.
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Gulbis smashed 79 from 44 balls as the Blues (2-110) advanced with an eight-wicket win over the Lions (106).
However, Stepien went to the next level in the decider, clubbing 62 from just 19 balls as the defending champions won by 10 wickets, chasing down the Dragons’ 85 inside five overs.
“It’s T20 cricket, you’ve just got to back your ability and your skill set,” Stepien said of his match-winning knock.
“It’s always great having Evan at the other end, having that wise head to talk me through everything.
“It’s just playing the breeze, picking the right shots — it’s just smart cricket I think.”
Cameron Stevenson was the main destroyer with the ball in the final, claiming 3-14, while Aaron Smillie finished with 2-21.
Carlton will take on Stars Conference champions Monash Tigers in the Victorian Grand Slam on Australia Day before jetting off to Adelaide for the national T20 championships.
Gulbis heaped praise on his players and was keen on revenge after losing the Victorian title to the Panthers last season.
“The boys have played fantastic all year and deserve today’s result,” he said.
“Next week we’ve got the big one, which we missed out on last year, it was our only little blemish.
“To bowl two teams out for 100 and then 80 and to get them convincingly shows the growth in the team.
“Fitzroy have got some really good players and so does Northcote, our bowlers just bowled fantastically in both games and I think that’s where it was won.
“When Steppo’s going you just get away from the strike and let him go. I’ve never seen someone hit the ball as cleanly as he did in the final.”
Carlton and Monash will clash in the Vic Grand Slam at Junction Oval on Sunday.