Dean Russ scores 17th Premier Cricket century in Footscray win

Reigning Ryder Medallist Dean Russ scored his 17th Premier Cricket century and moved closer to history as Footscray took down Casey-South Melbourne.

A 17th Premier Cricket century for Dean Russ has all but secured Footscray second place and a home qualifying final.

Russ took a major step forward in his chase for 10,000 Premier Cricket runs on Saturday with a match-winning 108 not out to guide the Bulldogs to a six-wicket win over Casey-South Melbourne at Casey Fields.

The knock takes Russ to 9457 career runs, overtaking Australia Test captain Warwick Armstrong, for 11th all-time. He’s 321 runs behind Ringwood rival David King in 10th.

It was the reigning Ryder Medallist’s first ton against Casey-South Melbourne – he now has tons against 12 different clubs – as well as Footscray’s first hundred against the Swans at Casey.

The 166-run fourth-wicket partnership with Dylan Kight (77) also set a new club record against Casey, bettering the 119 between Wes Robinson and Travis Dean in 2012-13.

Footscray’s Dylan Kight played his best knock of the season. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“Russy came in at 2-32 and there was a bit of spice in the wicket … so to get a hundred was an outstanding effort,” Footscray coach Dale McDonald said.

“Dylan (Brasher) got us off to a nice start and it was a blinder of a catch to get rid of him, an inside edge and the keeper’s gone a metre to his right.

“Trav was in there a little while and then Kighty was outstanding and he needed some time in the middle as well.

“The last real centre wicket opportunity Dylan had was against Kingston (in Round 10), so we work really hard at training on batting for long periods in the nets.

“We try to make them get pad rash at training, so I’m not surprised, Dylan is a class cricketer anyway.”

Casey-South Melbourne posted 245 on Day 1 of the match, thanks to Lachlan Sperling (67) and Luke Shelton (53).

Umair Butt (5-33) snared his first five-wicket haul for the Bulldogs and jumps to equal second on the competition’s wicket-taker charts with 29 scalps.

McDonald couldn’t have been happier with his paceman.

“Umair got his first five-for, he’s been outstanding coming across from Tassie,” he said.

“The way he trains, his preparation, I’m certainly not surprised, we thought he might be a surprise-packet for us and he’s been a super signing.

“Reedy’s (Jake Reed) got a dozen but teams will often try to see him off and when you’ve got another good bowler at the other end they can swoop in.”

The win sees Footscray just four points behind ladder-leader Carlton and eight points clear of Melbourne in third.

Footscray hosts St Kilda in the final match of the home-and-away season with the Saints needed a victory to ensure they make the top eight.

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“Unless Melbourne get an outright, which I find unlikely, we’ve secured second spot,” McDonald said.

“We’ll just continue to focus on ourselves and ticking all the boxes that we need to.”

Footscray was also celebrating a maiden Second XI century for young gun Aiman Nadeem (142) in just his second game at the level, which followed a 46 on debut.

The Bulldogs will also play finals in the Second XI and are in a heated nine-team tussle for a top-eight spot in the Third XI with sixth to 13th separated by just six points.