Premier Cricket: Higher-honour hopefuls headline Round 15 Team of the Week

A host of players in and around the state system kept themselves on the selection radar with superb performances. Their batting and bowling displays headline our Round 15 Team of the Week.

Left to right: David Moody (Melbourne), Dylan Brasher (Footscray) and Matt Fotia (Ringwood)

Three state contenders filled their boots while others capable of reaching the next level showed they’ve still got what it takes.

Here is our round 15 Premier Cricket Team of the Week.

1. AIMAN NADEEM (Footscray)

The 17-year-old stole the show in Footscray’s win over Greenvale Kangaroos with his maiden Premier Cricket century. The young gun’s 116 from 142 balls included seven boundaries and a pair of sixes. Had scores of 60, 59 and 56 earlier in the season and finally converted to a big score.

2. DYLAN BRASHER (Footscray)

We’re running out of superlatives for the Footscray star after his fourth Premier Cricket century of the season. Racked up 112 from 125 balls with eight fours and a six. Is now up to a career-best 674 runs at an average of 74.89 this season, closing in on leading run-scorer Blake Thomson.

Dylan Brasher’s knock on the Victorian selectors’ door is growing louder. Picture: Andy Brownbil

3. JACK LALOR (Northcote)

In his 101st First XI match, Lalor scored his long-awaited maiden century. It’s been a tough season for the Team of the Year gun, scoring just one half-century before Saturday’s matchwinning performance. Finished 115 from 128 balls, hitting 15 boundaries, before snaring 2-33 with the ball to inspire Northcote to a drought-breaking victory over St Kilda at Junction Oval.

4. LIAM FITZPATRICK (Camberwell Magpies) 

Top-scored with 91 runs off 112 deliveries in his side’s four-wicket loss to ladder-leader Carlton, smashing seven fours and three sixes.

5. DAMON EGAN (Prahran)

Egan found himself in at 1-40 and he played a crucial role in guiding his side to 222. He finished with 82 off 110 balls before he was eventually dismissed by Liam Molloy. His innings included nine boundaries and two 6s. He also took the catch to remove Essendon opener Aidan Salvado for a duck.

The ever-reliable Damon Egan was at it again. Picture: Valeriu Campan

6. JACKSON ISAKKA (Frankston Peninsula)

The former Sydney grade all-rounder showed his versatility by opening the batting and blasting 75 off 99 balls in the Heat’s loss to Fitzroy-Doncaster. He faced the first ball of the innings and was last out, in between hitting the ball hard and long, including three sixes, despite battling cramp. Earlier, he nabbed 2-38 with his lively pace.

7. JOSH LARKIN (Geelong)

The Cats’ skipper was at the centre of everything as his side continued their impressive season with a win over Casey South Melbourne. Larkin top scored with 44 off 50 before being run out as the visitors posted 224. He then led the way with the ball taking 3-19 as the home side were restricted to 8-212 in the run chase.

8. DAVID MOODY (Melbourne)

The big quickie bowled with hostility at the MCG, taking 4-18, to help roll the Hawks for 69. It was Moody’s second consecutive four-wicket haul and the ex-WA player is really hitting his straps, up to 25 wickets for the season.

Former West Australian quick David Moody is starting to collect wickets in bundles. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Fotia sent a gentle reminder of what he can do.

9. MATT FOTIA (Ringwood)

Ripped through Richmond’s batting order with 5-16 off 10 overs – consigning opener Shobit Singh and captain Andrew Humphries to ducks. The Victorian-listed quick has 21 wickets for the Rams this season.

10. DARCY COTTER (Essendon)

The bustling Bombers paceman took a wicket first ball of his spell against Prahran and went on to take a five-wicket bag, 5-52 off 10 overs.

11. WILLIAM PRIDEAUX (Richmond)

Prideaux ran through the Rams with 6-33 from just nine overs, including the huge wickets of Tom Rogers, Adam Amin and Ian Holland

12. EVAN GULBIS (Carlton)

Returning to the top of the order, Carlton’s captain-coach steered his side to victory with an unbeaten 79 against Camberwell Magpies. With wickets falling around him, Gulbis kept a cool head and ensured the Blues secured another victory.