COVID-19 dominated the local sport landscape, see what else made headlines
It might be no surprise to see COVID-19 dominated the local sports landscape in 2020 but there was plenty of big news in Melbourne this year.
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It would be an understatement to say 2020 has been a big year.
And that’s been without community sport played between March and November.
However, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been some huge stories this year and it’s also allowed us to take an in-depth look at some of the greats of the past and potential stars of the future.
Here are the top 20 biggest Leader Local Sport yarns of 2020.
1. TRAGEDY & TRIUMPH: THE TALE OF DARREN BERRY
Author: Mitch Bourke
Views: 8,335
Victoria’s former captain and champion wicketkeeper reflects on his 30 years in cricket, from his successes to his profound losses, in a chat with budding young journo Mitch Bourke.
2. IS THIS THE LOWEST SCORE IN SENIOR AUSTRALIAN CRICKET?
Author: David Turner
Views: 6,668
Fair to say things didn’t go to plan for Eastern Cricket Association McCarthy Shield club Monash University on one fateful day in March. All out for 4 – yes, you read that right – in just seven overs by Deepdene Uniting. Can you guess how many ducks there were?
3. LOCAL CRICKET COMP UNDER FIRE FOR DEROGATORY TWEET
Author: Paul Amy, Ben Higgins
Views: 6,324
The Victorian Turf Cricket Association was in hot water in November after a derogatory tweet was published by the league’s official account. League president Steve McNamara apologised and said it was not meant to be offensive.
4. SPECTATORS LOSE OUT IN SENIOR CRICKET COVID-19 RULES
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 5,519
There was uproar when Cricket Victoria’s initial return to play protocols banned spectators from local cricket matches. Thankfully, as Victoria’s situation improved and restrictions were eased, the protocols were discarded.
5. BATSMAN BLASTS DOUBLE CENTURY OFF 65 BALLS
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 5,311
Cheltenham Park Zac Rattray lived the dream in November. He scored 208, smashing six sixes in an over and 23 in total, in a South East Cricket Association D-Grade match. Rattray brought up his maiden century off 35 deliveries and turned it into a double ton in another 27.
6. STAR WHO WON BROWNLOW & SHEFFIELD SHIELD IN ONE YEAR
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 5,099
This would have to be one of Australia’s greatest sporting achievements. In February 1950, Peter Bedford was a part of Victoria’s Sheffield Shield-winning team. Come September he had a Brownlow Medal around his neck after a sensational season with South Melbourne.
7. LOCAL CRICKET’S NEW COVID-19 RULES REVEALED
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 4,940
With the 2019-20 cricket finals and local footy season cancelled, all eyes turned to the 2020-21 local cricket season. In August Cricket Australia announced the rules that would allow players to return to the park safely.
8. POTENTIAL STARTING DATE FOR LOCAL CRICKET DECLARED
Author: Paul Amy, Lucy Callander
Views: 3,600
As Melbourne got on top of its second wave, Cricket Victoria was able to announce in September a date, if councils and clubs supported, would see metropolitan cricket return.
9. WHY HATZOGLOU’S STUNNING BBL DEBUT WAS NO SHOCK
Author: Luke D’Anello
Views: 3,393
A little known spinner from Melbourne University took the Big Bash League by storm on debut when he took 2-29 – including the wicket of Mitch Marsh. However, Peter Hatzoglou’s rise was no surprise to those that had seen him charge up the Premier Cricket ranks.
10. HOT PROSPECTS: 20 PREMIER CRICKETERS TO WATCH IN 20-21
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 3,260
Premier Cricket is the breeding ground for Victoria’s next generation of talent and there’s plenty of young stars in the making this season. Get to know 20 up-and-comers that have the potential to don the Big V and even the green and gold.
11. ICONIC 1991 AFL GRAND FINAL BATMOBILE FOR SALE
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 3,184
There was quite the fuss when the iconic Batmobile that carried Angry Anderson around Waverley before the 1991 AFL Grand Final landed on the market. Re-live it’s story here.
12. LEGENDARY BOWLER AMONG CRICKET VICTORIA CASUALTIES
Author: Paul Amy, Jack Paynter
Views: 2,867
Cricket Victoria was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and a number of key staff were let go. Chief among them was legendary fast bowler and ICC Hall of Famer Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who took a redundancy in May.
13. VICTORIAN LOCAL SPORT’S STATE OF PLAY
Author: James Mottershead
Views: 2,673
Back in May there was genuine and understandable confusion about how winter sports were going to take the field this year. James Mottershead looked at how the likes of netball, soccer, tennis and athletics were planning to handle the situation.
14. LOCAL SOCCER CLUB SLAPPED WITH $55k IN FINES
Author: Ben Higgins
Views: 2,647
On the eve of the NPL season, powerhouse club Avondale were hit with a range of penalties after being found guilty of player payment breaches by Football Victoria. The club was also forced to start the season on -3 points.
15. CRICKET WORKS ON ROAD MAP TO START SEASON
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 2,608
After the Victorian Government announced its road map out of the COVID-19 lockdown, cricket officials were able to start mapping out the local cricket season and how protocols would work to keep players and officials safe.
16. PLAYER FELL INTO SHOCK AFTER ‘FREAKISH’ INJURY
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 2,485
It was not a good start to the season for an unlucky St Kilda Fourth XI player who was rushed to hospital and had emergency surgery after seriously injuring his finger while trying catch a ball hit for six.
17. FORMER TEST SPINNER BACK IN SUB-DISTRICT CRICKET
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 2,422
Michael Beer’s return to VSDCA Malvern put the competition in a spin – pardon the pun. It was a huge boost to the club after Beer’s distinguished career at state and Premier Cricket.
18. SHOCK EXIT LEAVES ESSENDON IN THE LURCH
Author: Ben Higgins
Views: 2,380
Essendon was thrilled to welcome back wicketkeeper Isaac Conway earlier this year and equally disappointed to lose him on the eve of the Premier Cricket season. The talented gloveman decided to remain in South Australia with Port Adelaide.
19. UNHERALDED AUSSIE CARVING UP US COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Author: Ben Higgins
Views: 2,325
The boy from Whittlesea, Robbie Heath, made a huge impact in his freshman year at Philadelphia’s West Chester University, breaking a range of school and conference records. He’s since transferred to NCAA Division I college Pepperdine.
20. HOW WILL PUCOVSKI MADE HIS NAME IN SENIOR CRICKET
Author: Paul Amy
Views: 2,258
When Will Pucovski was on the verge of a Test debut, Paul Amy looked back at his journey from playing for Hampton aged 10, then Caulfield and making a century for Melbourne’s Third XI at just 14.
Ex-AFL man gets nod as MPFNL club confirms new coaching set up
A former AFL player who says he’s still inspired by his time playing under Malcolm Blight has been appointed co-coach at a MPFNL Division 1 finalist.
Best pics from Junior Victorian Gymnastics Champs in Geelong
Talented young gymnasts from across the flocked to Geelong for the junior championships. See all the photos from the event here.