MPCA: First XI debuts for Mornington’s Simon Goosey and Mt Eliza’s Jagvir Gill

Cricket, a young man’s game? You’d say so — although in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association the more experienced chaps are getting a good go of it, including a former footy star, who made his First XI debut at 52.

Simon Goosey bowling his leg-spinners. Picture: Alan Dillon

Simon Goosey has only been playing cricket for eight years, starting out as a fill-in player in C-grade.

He took it up after kicking more than 2000 goals in a storied football career.

An avid leg-spinner, Goosey has worked his way up through the grades and on Saturday he hit the cricket “big time’’, making his First XI debut for Mornington — at 52.

In the same game, Mt Eliza’s Jagvir Gill also made his debut, at 49, becoming the Mounties’ oldest First XI first-gamer.

While admitting to a few nerves, Goosey said he went into the game determined to give it his all.

He wasn’t required to bat or bowl as his side Mornington won easily but he hopes to play many more games in the First XI.

“It’s hard to get out of a winning side,’’ he quipped.

Mornington coach Simon Goosey during the MPNFL Division 1 game against Pines last season. Picture: David Crosling

Before play, Mornington senior player Matt Foon welcomed Goosey to the side with a short speech — and the Goose was genuinely touched.

“He just said I was a passionate Mornington person and a competitor and they were looking forward to having me play out there and, ‘just do your best’,’’ he said.

“They were nice words.’’

Goosey wasn’t Mornington Cricket Club’s oldest First XI debutant — that honour belongs to Laurie Ashley, who was a tick over 53 when he played in the Bulldogs’ ones in the opening round of the 1989-90 MPCA season.

Like Goosey, Ashley was more well-known in football circles. He was Essendon’s runner in the infamous Windy Hill brawl in 1974.

Simon Goosey the footballer.

Goosey said Mornington coach Darren “Chuck’’ Berry has encouraged him to aim high.

“Chuck says form will dictate…it doesn’t matter how old you are,’’ Goosey said.

Gill, at 49 years and 83 days, made Mt Eliza history. The previous holder of the oldest Mt Eliza debutant was Allan Sinclar who debuted on October 31, 1992 aged at 48 years and 115 days (Sinclair only played two 1st XI games and they were both wash-outs, but he made his mark down the grades, playing 206 games for the club).

Jagvir Gill (right) in the action during his First XI debut for Mt Eliza. Picture: Alan Dillon

Gill, known as Jag, is an off-spinner and batsman and earned his spot after a splendid 2019-20 season in the twos when he made 294 runs and took 24 wickets.

On debut, he bowled tidily to take 1-15 off 8 overs and made a duck.

Jag owns and runs a few Indian restaurants locally.

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