Greenvale Kangaroos captain Justin Galeotti scores century, carries bat in loss

Greenvale Kangaroos captain Justin Galeotti says his club must start converting honourable losses into wins after scoring a century and carrying his bat for the second time this season.

Greenvale Kangaroos captain Justin Galeotti. Picture: Andy Brownbill

For the second time this season, Justin Galeotti carried his bat for Greenvale Kangaroos.

The Kangaroos captain also scored his second century, a fighting 101 not out, in Saturday’s 43-run loss to Carlton at Greenvale Reserve.

After a difficult 2023-24 season, Galeotti is showing his class this year – sitting third on the Premier Cricket run-scorers charts with 364 runs at an incredible average of 121.33.

He carried the bat in the Round 1 loss to Geelong, finishing 65 not out, and played a match-winning knock – 161 not out – in the Round 3 victory over Frankston Peninsula.

Chasing the Blues’ 9-251, Galeotti and opening partner, UK import, Will Luxton (57) put on a 101-run stand but ultimately fell short.

Greenvale Kangaroos captain Justin Galeotti. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Greenvale star said the club needed to start converting those types of opportunities.

“I think our bowling and fielding was quite disciplined and to keep them to 250 on that sort of wicket, we were happy at half-way,” Galeotti said.

“Then to fall 40 short after being 0-100 we probably want to convert those honourable losses into wins.

“But there were a lot of positives there.

“We’re looking to continually improve, we think we’ve come a long way from last year and we’ve still got a long way to go.”

Galeotti’s knock lasted 149 balls and included seven boundaries and a six.

He said it was nice to get some reward for effort with the bat.

“I’m trying to be a bit more positive (with the bat) this year,” he said.

Declan Highgate dives for the ball for Greenvale Kangaroos. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“It was good to get some results but it would have been nice to get the six points as well.

“I generally take my time batting and tried to take the game as deep as possible.”

As Greenvale rebuilds, it is finding some exciting new talent.

Making his First XI debut, Yaseen Muntasir stood tall with bat and ball.

The spinner finished with 2-40 from 10 overs with the ball before scoring 20 runs from 31 deliveries with the bat, providing much-needed support for Galeotti.

He added two catches to cap a memorable performance.

“The first game in the Ones for Yaseen, – two wickets, 20 runs and a couple of catches – he was excellent,” Galeotti said.

“He held down one end (with the ball) nicely in the middle overs.

“He’s come across from Essendon, we spoke to him pre-game about playing his role – a really important role bowling 10 overs of spin on a flat wicket in the middle overs.

“He and Nirmana Fernando in the middle overs, the two spinners bowled 20 overs for about 80, which was perfect.”

Galeotti won the toss and sent Carlton in.

Yorkshire talent Ben Cliff took 3-37, while Declan Highgate finished with 3-48 to restrict the Blues.

Harry Smyth the top-scorer with 78 from 112 balls.

“Will was excellent with the bat, both the Pommy boys Will and Cliffy have been super,” Galeotti said.

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“They’ve been good for the younger guys, they’ve taken some pressure off guys down the order.

“Ben has been excellent, he’s been unlucky with a couple of dropped catches and unlucky lbws, he’s got a big bag around the corner.”

The Kangaroos will now look to make the most of three consecutive weekends of T20 matches.

The club will host Richmond and Footscray in a triple-header at Greenvale Reserve on Saturday.