Harry DeMattia makes low-key but spectacular return in Sorrento’s thirds

A Collingwood AFL player made a surprise cricket comeback in a Mornington Peninsula match — until his day was promptly cut short.

Harry DeMattia (left) and Kai Marshall after playing together in Sorrento’s thirds on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

One-time cricket prodigy Harry DeMattia gave a reminder of his talent in a low-key return to the summer game on Saturday.

The Collingwood AFL player lined-up in Sorrento’s thirds — captained by his second uncle Ben McDonald — and promptly peeled off 116 (retired) against Balnarring at Percy Ceruty Oval in Portsea.

He would have given a double ton a nudge had McDonald not retired him.

“He got to 116 and I said, ‘you can have a rest now’,’’ McDonald said.

“Balnarring were really good, they loved playing against him, you know, they were all trying to get him out.’’

DeMattia’s ton, described as a “controlled innings’’, hoisted Sorrento to 302 and, according to McDonald, the 19-year-old thoroughly enjoyed the day.

“He said it was the first time he drove to cricket and didn’t feel the pressures of performing and he could just go and play,’’ he said.

Harry Demattia and Steele Sidebottom in a contest at Collingwood training. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

DeMattia got to bat with his best mate Kai Marshall, who made 60.

Harry also shared a 103-run partnership with 15-year-old Chase McKenzie, who made 25 and lapped up the experience of batting with the former national under-19 player and one-time drinks runner for the Australian Test team in the 2022 Boxing Day Test.

“Harry worked really well with Chase, he’s a 15 year old coming through, and just showed him the fundamentals of cricket, how you keep looking at the fields every ball and turning those twos into threes,’’ McDonald said.

DeMattia’s next cricket goal is to play with his dad Matt, who is tipped to line-up for a game with Sorrento’s threes.

“He’ll probably play a couple more games and his dad is keen to play,’’ McDonald said.