Premier Cricket: Prahran wins first flag since 1983-84
There were emotional scenes at the Junction Oval after the True Blues secured their first flag in almost 40 years.
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The emotion began to bubble up in the last two or three overs, when it became apparent Prahran would win the grand final.
It spilled over as soon as paceman Matt Wilcox had delivered the final ball of the match.
The players made a jubilant pile near the wicket, the scoreboard looking over them showing a 24-run win over Dandenong at the Junction Oval.
Past and present officials, players and supporters embraced on the boundary, the True Blues’ great administrator Ian Crawford reduced to tears.
It had been almost 40 years since the True Blues had won a Premier Cricket premiership pennant, and Saturday’s victory over a worthy opponent produced stirring scenes.
After the presentation Crawford hurried off to a quiet place to ring legendary club committeeman David Jukes and report the final scores.
Jukes is in assisted accommodation as he approaches his 80th birthday, but Prahran arranged for him to be brought to the match for a while and he sat rugged up in front of the grandstand.
Prahran official John Zarb noted that five Dandenong wickets fell as Jukes watched on.
Dandy put in a commendable run chase but in the end Prahran’s 5-261 proved an insurmountable target.
The True Blues had chosen to bat, and they batted with authority, as they have done for most of the season.
No 3 Damon Egan set the seal on an outstanding first season with the club by hitting 107 off 118 balls to be crowned player of the match and receive the John Scholes Medal.
It was the right-hander’s third century of the season and lifted his aggregate to 779 runs at 55.6.
There were 12 fours and 1 six in a handsome hand that could earn him a state contract before next season.
He was out late in the innings, cracking a return catch for Dandy off-spinner Suraj Randiv.
As he walked off, he knew he’d set up Prahran for a push to go past 250.
Egan and his captain, Jake Hancock, had a partnership of 164 for the second wicket.
Hancock took 16 balls to get off the mark, and he took a while to get his strike rate in the positive.
But the right-hander finished 73 not out off 93 balls, and the value of his innings could be measured after the Dandenong innings; it turned out Prahran needed more than 220 or 230 to win the grand final.
Lachie Bangs thrashed 14 off six balls near the close, lifting Adam McMaster down the ground for a six in the final over.
The start of the Prahran innings also featured bold hitting from another left-hander, Nick Blaich, who was prepared to take on Dandenong paceman James Nanopoulos.
Nanopoulos bowled eight maidens in the quarter final against Melbourne and entered the grand final as the competition’s leading wicketktaker, with 37.
Before the match it was widely held that he was Prahran’s biggest threat.
But Blaich took to the right-armer, twice hitting over the top for boundaries in the third over.
Nanopoulos had 0-21 off his first three overs. And Prahran had a good start through Blaich and James Billington.
With the score on 41 Blaich (30) was caught off Randiv, who came on in the seventh over.
The Panthers had a second wicket when Billington (19) gave a simple catch to Jack Fowler off Peter Cassidy’s medium pace.
But they had to wait a long time for more success as Egan and Hancock collaborated for their century partnership.
Egan took up the attacking role, often lifting the ball into the outfield.
Prahran’s 100 came in the 28th over and its 200 in the 44th.
Then came Egan’s milestone, with a two past mid-off.
He was out soon after, walking off to warm applause from the Prahran faithful.
Hancock stayed until the end, shepherding his team to a total that would require Dandenong to bat brilliantly to win the match.
The Panthers lost champion opener Brett Forsyth (5) early, snicking Wilcox to slip, where the catch was dropped but knocked up to Hancock.
But Dandy captain Tom Donnell and No 3 Josh Slater were largely untroubled in taking the score to 100 by the 24th over, left-hander Donnell punishing anything short and Slater lapping up anything on his legs.
As their partnership grew, Prahran supporters began to murmur about the need for a wicket.
As it was, they got two.
Donnell, on 59, nipped down the wicket to left-arm spinner James Boyce and lofted him straight down the ground. Two Prahran fielders looked to be on a collision but Will Sutherland disregarded the distraction and completed the catch.
Then Slater (36) drilled Boyce low to mid-off, where Sutherland dived forward to accept the chance.
Boyce had a third wicket when Ed Newman (7) chipped the ball to wide mid-on.
And when Andrew Perrin knocked over Nanopoulos (7), the Panthers had slipped from 1-105 to 5-137.
They pushed on, with LJ Edwards (who injured his hamstring and called for a runner) cracking 34 off 38 balls before skying a catch off Boyce, who finished with 4-40 off his 10 overs.
Semi-final heroes Peter Cassidy (31no) and Jacques Augustin (23) put on 33, and Randiv (23) got in a few meaty blows. But the Panthers could never bridge the gap between runs wanted and balls to be bowled.
After the 47th over the equation was 51 off 18, and it was clear Prahran’s long wait for a premiership was over.
The players. coach Julien Wiener and his assistant Justin Graham, long-serving scorer James Higgs and popular team manager Sekhar Sridhar were presented with their medals before thrilled supporters.
“It’s pretty unbelievable; I don’t know how to describe it,’’ Boyce, 21, said.
“A couple of old boys I don’t know came up to me and said how much it meant to them. You could see it. It means a lot to all of us.’’
Noting that Prahran’s last success had been in 1983-84, Richmond AFL supporter Boyce said: “Thirty-seven years. Just like the Tiges!’’
Bangs said: “Incredible. Can’t really believe it. Feels like ages ago since we started this journey and we’ve finally got to where we want to be.’’
Taking in the sight of jubilant supporters mingling in front of the changerooms, added: “It’s a very special club.’’
Wilcox said he’d been nervous before the match, aware of Prahran’s long wait for another premiership.
“I’ve been bawling my eyes out. It’s overwhelming. I’m so drained. I’ve been thinking about this (grand final) every day. Been a tough week. Just so glad we got up and could reward all these people who have been with the club for so long.’’
Sutherland was thinking along the same lines.
“This is awesome mate. I keep hearing about the people who have put in so much time and effort and served the club for so long. That’s what makes me the happiest. We’ve done it for them.’’
The John Scholes and premiership medals on his chest, Egan said: “Words can’t describe it. Been an amazing season. It was fantastic to contribute personally, but we’ve got 12 great players in our team.’’
He said the big occasion dictated that his 107 was his best innings in Premier Cricket.
Zarb said: “Good things come to those who wait.’’
Crawford took so many pats on the back it would be no surprise if he needs to take himself off to a chiropractor this week.
“Just so proud of what the players have done, and extremely proud of the club as a whole’’ he said.
“We’re in a strong place, well led administration-wise, well coached, a lot of talented cricketers. It’s been a long time between drinks, so we might have one or two tonight.’’
PRAHRAN PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS
Nick Blaich: played a crucial attacking role at the top, taking on Dandenong champion James Nanopoulos in making 30. The wicketkeeper-batsman finished with 582 runs for the season.
James Billington: Scored 19 in a 42-run opening partnership that gave his team a confidence-filling start. Developed his cricket in the lower grades at Prahran and has now ripened into a premiership player.
Damon Egan: joined a star-spangled roll call of recipients in winning John Scholes Medal. His dazzling hand of 107 was his third century of the season.
Jake Hancock: the skipper made it his business to bat through to the end and take his team past 250. His 73 not out lifted him past 500 runs for the season.
Will Sutherland: showed his allound ability by taking two important catches just when the True Blues were wanting wickets.
Lachie Bangs: faced only six balls but blasted 14 from them. And he fielded like a bandit, rocketing the ball in from the outfield. He’s a cricketer to watch.
Matt Wilcox: the right-arm paceman nabbed 2-50 to finish the season with 37 wickets. He’ll pick himself in the Premier team of the year.
Andrew Perrin: ran in hard for 2-42 off his 10 overs, and wore a smile as wide as the Junction grandstand as he got a handle on the premiership cup.
Nick Boland: the Frankston-Peninsula recruit took 29 wickets for the season, taking his place in a bowling attack that gave batsmen little peace.
Blake Parsons: another premiership player given his grounding in the lower grades. Took 29 wickets for the season with his left-arm spin.
James Boyce: the left-arm slowie was instrumental in the victory with his 4-40 off 10 overs. At 21, he’s an excellent prospect.
Sachin Garber (12th man): all-rounder who carried the drinks. But at 21 and with ability with bat and ball he’ll carry Prahran to quite a few victories in future years.
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