CSB Championship Division: Jackson Fry talks about his move to Bonbeach

Bonbeach will unleash serious firepower in Cricket Southern Bayside after adding another ex-Premier paceman.

Jackson Fry built a fine reputation at Casey South Melbourne. Picture: Andrew Batsch

His mates had been “heckling” him to make the move for a while.

And so, after a decade in Victorian Premier Cricket, paceman Jackson Fry has left Casey South Melbourne to join Bonbeach, alongside his ex-Swans new-ball partner Cal Dodson.

The Fry-Dodson pace combination, along with ex-St Kilda man Dan Mueller, will have batsmen ducking and dodging in Cricket Southern Bayside’s Championship Division in 2025-26.

“It was probably about time…I’d been there (at Casey South Melbourne) for 10 years,” Fry said.

“I’ve got a few mates at Bonbeach...they had been heckling me to come play there for a while. I’m excited. Looking forward to it.”

Fry got the most out of himself at Premier Cricket level, taking 143 wickets in 131 First XI games and earning a reputation as the ultimate team man.

He dismissed Test cricketers and state stars — and played in two grand finals for the Swans.

Jacko Fry will add firepower to Bonbeach’s bowling attack. Picture: Andy Brownbill

At 31, Fry chose Bonbeach over offers from a Victorian Sub District club and also Chelsea, where ex-Swans captain Luke Shelton has gone.

“I spoke to only two other clubs really,“ he said.

“Bonbeach, with my mate Luke Manders coaching, and they’ve got Tom Smith, who I get along well with, and Cal Dodson, who I played with at Casey.

“And, yeah, closer to home and playing on turf with a few mates, it was just a good fit.

“I was probably going to stay at Casey but I was probably on the outer a little bit and they’ve recruited a couple of good bowlers. Yeah, it’s probably time to move on. Play a bit of local cricket. I’m looking forward to it.’’

Callum Dodson will reunite with Fry. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Reflecting on his decade in Premier Cricket, Fry said he was “proud and satisfied’’ of what he achieved.

“Obviously, the two grand final losses are probably the ones that hurt the most, but other than that, a great club and you meet so many great people when you play Premier Cricket, not just at your own club, but guys you come across,’’ he said.

“And just all the opportunities you get, whether it’s net bowling to Australian players and that.’’

Fry was a net bowler for the Australian side before the 2018 Boxing Day Test, and charged in against Steve Smith, David Warner and co.

Did he get anyone out?

“I don’t reckon I did. I tried,’’ Fry laughed.

“I tried my best but it was hard work. But what an experience. Josh Hazwood was there with Mitch Starc and they were talking to us. They give you a brand new ball, you can take that home. So that was a great experience. I guess when you play Premier, you get access to stuff like that, which is pretty cool.”

Steve Smith in the Australian nets session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Of Fry’s 143 Premier wickets, one big scalp remains vivid.

“Marcus Harris...yeah, it was definitely Harris when I played against St Kilda,’’ he said.

“First ball I bowled to him he ran down the wicket and flat batted me, one bounce into the sightscreen.

“And I’m like, I’m in trouble here. And then next ball he went for the drive and nicked it straight to first slip.’’

Did Fry show Harris the way to the dressing room? “I think the game was nearly done so I didn’t say a lot. But it was a nice one to get.’’

Bonbeach played off in last season’s CSB Championship grand final, losing to South Caulfield.

The Sharks are hungry to go one better in ‘25-26.

Manders has committed as senior coach at Bonbeach for three seasons, bringing Level 2 accreditation and experience coaching Melbourne and Victorian Country teams. The former Casey South Melbourne batsman scored 2273 runs including four centuries.

Bonbeach champion Tom Smith returns for his 11th consecutive season despite ACL rehabilitation, having accumulated 4565 runs and 233 wickets for the Sharks.

Four overseas recruits strengthen Bonbeach’s squad: Zach Webb (Tunbridge Wells), Ewan Williams (Letchworth Garden City), Will Burston (Keynsham/Somerset pathway), and left-arm seamer Jack Collett (Sandbach Cricket Club).