Hoppers Crossing honour Bryce Stuart in return to field
Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club is still coming to grips with the passing of Bryce Stuart but dedicated its return to the field to their teammate.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club made an emotional return to the field over the weekend, dedicating its two wins to teammate Bryce Stuart.
The Cats were left shaken last month by the death of the First XI player and popular clubman.
Tears flowed on Saturday against Taylors Lakes in their first game back following Stuart’s passing, which was met by an outpouring of grief by the VSDCA community.
Players across the Sub-District Cricket competition observed a minute’s silence and Hoppers Crossing players wore black armbands with Stuart’s initials.
Some Cats players also had stickers at the bottom of the bats with Stuart’s First XI number — 237.
Hoppers Crossing captain Justin Goegan said it was difficult to return to playing without Stuart but consecutive washouts had provided an opportunity for the club to regroup.
“Being out there for the first time without him was quite difficult as a group but the results made it that little bit better,” Goegan said
“I still don’t really know how to put the whole thing into words because he was one of my best mates outside of the cricket club.
“Bryce loved the place … and he would have wanted everyone to start moving on with it and getting back into cricket.”
A GoFundMe page raised $18,000, which was directed to funeral costs and Beyond Blue.
Goegan said emotion filled the Hoppers Crossing rooms following Saturday’s victory before the club knocked off Mount Waverley on Sunday to complete back-to-back wins.
“I think there was a few tears in the rooms singing the song after the game,” Goegan said.
“I play with my brother (Luke) and both of us were close mates with Bryce so the minute he came up to me, I think a few of us had a few tears.”
Hoppers Crossing president Jake Porter praised the club for its resilience.
“What’s been good is everyone being around to support each other and supporting the family,” Porter said.
“The family has been incredible through this and they were down supporting the club over the weekend.
“Definitely the First XI guys really wanted to go out there and put on a good performance for him.
MORE LOCAL CRICKET NEWS
CROYDON GREAT RETIRES ON RECORD HIGH
KOBE SMITH STARS FOR FITZROY DONCASTER
PRAHRAN SENDS WARNING TO RIVALS
RUMMANS IN THE RUNS FOR CAULFIELD
“There’s no question the guys would have had Bryce on their mind for that first game back and they would have been wanting to do him proud.”
Hoppers Crossing will host a 10-over a side game against Werribee at Hogans Rd Reserve on November 28.
The fixture will raise funds for men’s health and former AFL player Lance Picioane will be a guest speaker.