Premier Cricket 2022-23: Fitzroy Doncaster eyes winning send-off for Mick O’Sullivan

Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi says a winning send-off is the only fitting exit for dual premiership coach Mick O’Sullivan.

NOTHING else will do.

Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi says a winning send-off is the only fitting exit for dual premiership coach Mick O’Sullivan following his retirement from the job after nine years at the helm.

And on the final Saturday of the Premier Cricket home-and-away season, the race for the top eight is set to come down to the wire.

The Lions remain an outside chance for finals, in 11th spot on six wins – six points and percentage outside the eight – and will be chasing Dandenong’s 153 this Saturday.

In reply, the hosts are 1-49 off 14 overs with Jack Rudd on an unbeaten 30.

While St Kilda sits eighth on 43 points, followed by Northcote (ninth, 42) and Casey-South Melbourne (10th, 38), much needs to fall the Lions’ way for another finals berth to eventuate.

Alavi concedes “there’s quite a few variables in play”.

“There’s a few teams above us that need to lose, and obviously the first step is to get the win,” he said.

Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi (right) and coach Mick O'Sullivan in 2018. Picture: Hamish Blair

But the skipper says the group is hellbent on giving the decorated coach a winning farewell – whether it be this weekend or with another finals appearance.

“There’s always that extra motivation for someone like Mick who’s done so much for our club and every single player that’s gone through the club,” Alavi said.

“When it could possibly be his last game as coach you’re always going to have that extra bit of motivation to play a bit more for him as a person and to go out on a win for him.

“Hopefully that means five wins in a row for the firsts going into the back end of the year which would be an awesome finish to the season.

“Obviously we’d like to still give ourselves the chance to play finals and give Mick more games as coach, but we’ll see how that goes as the week goes on.”

Fitzroy Doncaster’s Peter Dickson (L) and coach Mick O'Sullivan (R) lift the 2015-16 cup. Picture: Hamish Blair

O’Sullivan’s announcement last Thursday night drew plenty of emotion from family members, club greats, supporters and current players alike.

It was standing-room only as the master coach held the floor.

“It was quite an emotional night,” Alavi said.

“It was a shock to a lot of the playing group – obviously I’d spoken to Mick previously and knew that his decision was coming.

“His whole family came along to the announcement and a lot of past players like Peter Dickson and Leigh Watts, Jeff Harvey and people who were involved in his time at Fitzroy Doncaster.”

For Alavi, who in 2016 became the youngest-ever player to captain the First XI at just 20 years of age, there’s no doubting O’Sullivan’s legacy.

“We’re going to miss him a lot – he’s the best coach I’ve ever played under, and probably the best coach Fitzroy Doncaster’s ever had.”