Victoria’s best Premier Cricketers since 2000
From international stars to club legends, these are the best Premier Cricketers since 2000. Did we get the top 50 right? Have your say in our poll.
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Victorian Premier Cricket has been littered with sensational players over the years.
From international stars to club legends, these are the best 50 Premier Cricketers since 2000.
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50. Sam Coates (Prahran)
The finest wicketkeeper in Prahran’s storied history? Coates owns the club record for most dismissals (343), played the 10th most games in club history (186) and third most as captain (83) and holds the club record for seventh, eighth and ninth-wicket partnerships. Coates hung up the gloves with 280 catches and 63 stumpings to his credit and also added 2775 runs, with four centuries, at an average of 21.51. A member of Prahran’s 2011-12 double winning side, which claimed the one-day and T20 titles that season.
49. Daniel Sartori (Richmond, Footscray)
The kid from Katandra has put together a fabulous career, making over 250 first XI appearances for two clubs, Richmond and Footscray. There was a premiership at the Tigers, where he struck five centuries, 27 half-centuries and 5010 runs in the first XI. Overall, the opening batsman has amassed 6844 runs, at about 30, scored 10 First XI centuries and 35 fifties. And he’s gong strongly.
48. Michael King (Ringwood)
More than 200 games and in excess of 4000 runs for the sizzling all-rounder across a decade at Premier level from 2001-02 to 2010-11. Perhaps the peak of his powers was the 2007-08 season where he reeled in a club-record 58 wickets as the Rams won the flag – with King named man of the match. Also featured in our best metro cricketers since 2000 for his deeds with South Croydon. Twice named in the Premier Cricket Team of the Year (2007-08, 2008-09).
47. Eamonn Vines (Geelong)
The former Geelong skipper peeled off more than 5700 runs in eight seasons for the Cats from 2013-14 to 2020-21. The left-hander cracked the ton on 13 occasions to go with 37 half-centuries, and it’s little wonder first-class honours came calling with the former Victorian representative heading to Tasmania two years ago to further his career. Twice named in the Premier Cricket Team of the Year (2017-18; 2020-21) – both as captain.
46. Steven Reid (Essendon, Melbourne University)
A former Victorian-listed paceman, Reid totalled 312 wickets at an average of 24.50 across 14 seasons in the top-flight, reeling in 25 or more in seven of those. His best return came in 2018-19 when he collected 38 wickets for Melbourne Uni.
45. Ejaaz Alavi (Fitzroy Doncaster)
Became the youngest player in the Lions’ history to captain the First XI at just 20 years of age in January 2016, and it’s not difficult to understand why he’s been held in high regard for a long time. The spinner has taken almost 300 wickets across a decade at Schramms Reserve, and he’s been a handy contributor with the bat driving more than 1700 runs. A former captain of the Victorian under-19 side, Alavi featured in the Lions’ 2015-16 and 2016-17 First XI premiership sides and is closing in on 200 top-flight matches. Team of the Year representative in 2017-18.
44. Tom Smyth (Carlton)
After making his First XI debut back in the 2009-10 season, Smyth has gone onto become one of the powerhouse stars of the competition. He’s nearing 7000 Premier runs across all forms and grades at 31.11. Smyth also has over 300 wickets to his name. In all, he has played 296 games.
43. Dylan Kight (Footscray)
The Footscray wicketkeeper has taken 292 catches and had 45 stumpings in his career. He has scored six centuries and 31 half centuries, featuring a top score of 146*. He has the 24th most dismissals in premier cricket history.
42. Aaron Ayre (Essendon)
The Essendon batter scored 4824 runs in 136 premier games, featuring seven hundreds and 28 half centuries. He averaged 34.95 with a high score of 173.
41. Trent Lawford (North Melbourne, Fitzroy Doncaster)
The destructive all-rounder played just five seasons of Victorian Premier Cricket but made an enormous impact. His 87 matches grossed 226 wickets at an average of 17.31 and 1877 runs at 25. His 2016-17 Ryder Medal winning summer consisted of 62 wickets at 13.24 and 296 runs at 24.67.
40. Matt Doric (North Melbourne, Essendon)
On 14 occasions, Doric took five-wicket hauls. He took 332 wickets at an average of 22.18. He played 139 of his premier matches with Essendon.
39. Damian Shanahan (Essendon, Camberwell Magpies, Geelong)
The all-rounder scored 6858 runs and took 262 wickets in his 252-game premier cricket career from 1993-94 to 2014-15. He scored 13 centuries with a top score of 172 and has best figures of 7-40 with four five-wicket hauls. Shannahan played 177 matches for Camberwell, 43 for Geelong and 32 for Essendon.
38. Darren Pattinson (Dandenong)
A formidable fast bowler for Dandenong, “Patto’’ made his debut for Dandy in 1999-2000 and took 275 wickets, at 21.7, with a best of 8-42. Of course, there was also a lot of first-class cricket with Victoria and County club Nottinghamshire, and he was famously called up to play a Test match for England in 2008.
37. Tom Stray (Ringwood)
Stray epitomised Ringwood. The three-time premiership player, one as captain, amassed 6532 runs at 34.01 with eight centuries and 39 fifties. He played two first-class matches for Victoria before moving to South Australia where he played a further five. He had a hard-nosed edge about him that inspired his teammates to get the best out of themselves.
36. Nathan Pilon (Carlton)
The brilliant wicketkeeper-batsman had a wonderful career at Carlton in which he made 6561 runs, at 37.2, hit 12 centuries and had 318 dismissals. He was also a seven-time club championship winner at the club. Pilon joined the Blues in 2004-05 after a long stop at St George in the Sydney Grade competition. He also played 10 first-class matches, the last for Victoria in March, 2006 against Queensland.
35. Liam Buchanan (Melbourne, Geelong)
The former Victorian Bushranger lit it up for Melbourne and Geelong across almost 20 years at Premier level from 1997-98, blasting 8255 runs and making four teams of the year. The right-hander’s 12-season stretch at Geelong yielded more than 5000 runs with a sizzling best innings of 245, while he also plundered more than 3200 in a five-year stay at Melbourne with a best effort of 239. Represented Victoria in 2005 and ’06.
34. Michael Hill (Melbourne, Essendon)
A prodigious junior talent and one of Premier Cricket’s finest. Hill featured in Melbourne’s Dowling Shield squad in 2002-03 and 2003-04, had made his First XI debut by 2005-06 and scored his maiden Premier Cricket century in 2007-08. He would go on to represent Victoria and Tasmania in Sheffield Shield and Hobart and Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash. In between he has plundered runs for the Demons and, for the past seven seasons, Essendon. In 234 appearances he’s knocked up 7191 runs with 10 centuries, 3862 for Melbourne and 3329 for the Bombers. A two-time premiership player.
33. Travis Dean (Footscray)
The Victorian opening bat has scored 5113 runs in 171 matches for Footscray, featuring six centuries and 35 half-centuries. Dean has an average of 35.50 with the bat and he has also taken 39 wickets.
32. Steve Taylor (Northcote)
The star opener made runs for fun at Bill Lawry oval after making his debut during the 2010-11 season. He scored 4376 runs, featuring five centuries and 20 half-centuries.
31. Michael Beer (St Kilda)
Recruited from Subbies club Malvern, Beer first played for St Kilda in 2003-04 and in 164 matches pocketed 324 wickets at an average of 18.1, with a best of 6-27. In season 2009-10 he took a remarkable 62 wickets at 15.2. The man known as “Frosty” went on to make two Test appearances for Australia (he was presented with his baggy green cap by Shane Warne), against England at the SCG in 2011 and the West Indies at Port of Spain in 2012. Beer forged a reputation as one of the country’s best short-form bowlers.
30. Bryce McGain (Prahran)
The former Australian leg spinner took 533 wickets in his 284-game premier cricket career. He played 80 of those games with Frankston Peninsula and the other 204 with Prahran. He had best figures of 6-6 and took 21 five-wicket hauls.
29. Craig Berger (Essendon)
Essendon’s greatest ever run-scorer and recently inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame. Berger debuted in 1996-97 but played the majority of his career in the 2000s, retiring with 7938 runs and 229 wickets in 254 matches. Was a major factor in Essendon reaching the 2000-01 grand final, losing to St Kilda, and rated Clint McKay earning a baggy green as one of his proudest moments. Scored 12 tons, with a best of 140 not out against Prahran in 2008-09, and took five wickets twice. A four-time Team of the Year representative.
28. Tim O’Sullivan (Northcote, St Kilda)
It won’t show up in the stats but he captained St Kilda to four flags on the hop from 2002-03 and was a fine District player. Played 98 games with Northcote before joining the Saints in 1999-2000. In eight seasons with St Kilda, he played 157 matches, scored 3304 runs, at 29.76, and led the club with distinction.
27. James Seymour (Casey South Melbourne, Essendon)
The current Essendon skipper has piled on close to 6000 runs across the two clubs in a decade – and he’s still giving opposition bowlers plenty of headaches. The left-hander has twice sailed past 800 runs in a season and looks like giving it a nudge again, having enjoyed a return of 684 including four tons at an average of 76. Broke through for Victorian selection in April 2021, also making his Melbourne Renegades debut in the Big Bash League later that year. Three Team of the Year gongs in the past four seasons.
26. Tim Welsford (Northcote, Carlton)
The all-rounder has taken 406 wickets and scored 5293 runs in his 249-game premier cricket career. He has best figures of 7-65 and a high score of 140*. Welsford scored five centuries and 24 half centuries and took 13 five-for’s. He played 99 games for Northcote from 1998-99 before moving to Carlton for season 2005-06 where he went on to play 150 games.
25. Andrew Dickinson (Carlton)
The loyal Carlton servant sent 420 batters packing in his time, but 365 were included in the new millennium. Despite that record, and taking 40 or more wickets in four seasons, Dickinson did not earn a single Team of the Year selection.
24. Brenton McDonald (Footscray, Richmond, Melbourne, Geelong)
McDonald’s journey held a plethora of highlights, but none bigger than a Jack Ryder Medal in a premiership year with Melbourne in 2012-13. His career encompassed 3238 runs and 328 wickets, but that summer alone he snared 54 wickets and notched 568 runs. Despite toiling away for a whopping 41 overs, he was unable to sign off in style with the Cats, falling to Carlton in the 2018-19 grand final.
23. Damon Rowan (St Kilda)
The star gloveman’s Premier Cricket career came to an end in 2014 when he made the move to Perth for work commitments. Rowan played 270 matches for St Kilda, took a club-best 458 catches, had 68 stumpings and hit 3140 runs, his left-hand batting good enough to bring him two centuries. He also featured in five two-day premierships.
22. Michael Klinger (Prahran, St Kilda)
A star from the start, Klinger started out at Prahran and hit a century as a 15-year-old, becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history to do so. He moved to St Kilda in 2000 and piled on the runs, scoring 5271, at 53. All up, Klinger made 6646 runs, at 44, with a remarkable 20 centuries. In the 2004-05 season, Klinger became the sixth player in history to hit five hundreds in a season, amassing 1105 runs.
21. Nick Jewell (St Kilda, Frankston Peninsula)
Achieved stunning success in 13 seasons with St Kilda, winning multiple premierships, and scoring 6226 runs, at 39.6. Jewell was recruited to Frankston Peninsula in 2008-09 and coached the club for four seasons, bringing a hard edge and a new wave of professionalism that saw the Heat rise up the ladder.
20. Shawn Craig (St Kilda)
A star at St Kilda since 1992-93 but played just seven seasons in our specific time frame. Still a key part of the Saints’ five premierships in six seasons between 2000-01 and 2005-06, including a historic four-peat from 2002-03 to 2005-06. Could make an impact anywhere in the batting order. Combined for a 158-run opening stand with Graeme Rummans in the 2003-04 grand final against Kingston Hawthorn and scored 51 not out at No. 6 in the grand final against Frankston Peninsula the season before. Called time with 7586 runs at an average of 42.37.
19. Ben Fletcher (Essendon, Carlton, University)
The top-order bat knew how to bat and bat big. Nine of his highest scores for Essendon were all above 120 with seven of them unbeaten. He had one summer out of the criteria but 16 in it. There was no decline in Fletcher’s output at the back end of his career, with his final three seasons at Melbourne University grossing 1941 runs at an average of 42.20.
18. Simon Dart (Melbourne, Hawthorn)
The 2004-05 Ryder Medal winner stuffed the stat sheet over his career with Melbourne and Hawthorn. He started and finished with Melbourne, with a period at Hawthorn in-between. He won the 2009-10 flag upon return to Melbourne, before finishing his Premier Cricket stint at the end of 2011-12. He amassed 8950 at 43.87 with 17 centuries and 55 fifties, complemented by 162 wickets at 28.27.
17. Brett Forsyth (Dandenong, Prahran)
A modern day marvel. Forsyth continues to cause plenty of headaches for opposition bowlers and captains in a career which has seen him score over 10,000 runs in all forms. He spent one season with Prahran back in 2010-11.
16. Tom Donnell (South Melbourne, Dandenong)
After starting his career with South Melbourne, a move to Dandenong sparked a fine career for Donnell. Across his Premier career, he scored more than 10,000 runs in all forms.
15. James Miller (Frankston Peninsula, Prahran, Kingston Hawthorn)
The 2013-14 Ryder medallist was a marvel with bat and ball, gathering 5273 runs and 495 wickets across 260 First XI appearances for the three clubs. A right-arm medium pacer and right-hand batsman, Miller was named in the Team of the Year on five occasions including his Ryder Medal season which took in 49 wickets and 627 runs.
14. Clinton Peake (Geelong)
The Geelong stalwart made 5582 runs in the new millennium with 12 centuries and 35 fifties. He featured in the Team of the Year on four occasions – twice as captain – and steered the Cats for the final eight years of his career.
13. Simon Hill (Camberwell Magpies)
The Camberwell Magpies star has scored 16 centuries and the seventh most runs in premier cricket history with 10,994. Hill has a high score of 208* with a career average of 37.39 from the 304 matches he has played.
12. Darren Groves (Frankston Peninsula)
Groves’ career spanned 17 seasons from 1995-96, playing 12 seasons in our specific time frame. Hung up the boots with a club record 464 wickets at an average of 19.17. Took a staggering 66 wickets in 2002-03 – but still finished second behind Chris Street – and followed it up with another 56 in 2003-04, good enough for fifth overall. Also finished second in 2006-07 with 49 scalps. Saved arguably his best bowling performance for the final two games of his career, taking a career-best 7-29 in the 2011-12 qualifying final win over Geelong and 5-38 in the semi-final loss to Monash, ending the campaign with 36 wickets.
11. Ian Holland (Ringwood)
A career featuring 15 five-wicket hauls and 12 centuries is hard to go past. Ian Holland took 321 wickets and scored 4831 runs in his 173-premier cricket career. He has best figures of 8-15 and has a high score of 199*.
10. Darren Dempsey (Ringwood, North Melbourne, Dandenong)
The former first-class cricketer is one of only nine players to have scored more than 10,000 runs at Premier level, finishing with 10,154 across the three clubs. He was Ringwood’s club champion on six occasions where he peeled off 16 centuries and 5262 runs at an average of 44.59, including an unbeaten 212 in 1999-2000. Also won three best and fairests for North Melbourne and captained Dandenong to the 2010-11 premiership. Featured in three Sheffield Shield matches for South Australia in 2001-02.
9. Andrew Kent (Melbourne)
Scored all but 543 of his spectacular 11,032 runs in our time frame, from 2000-01. Finished his stellar career in 2016-17 as the sixth greatest run-scorer in Premier Cricket history and the second highest of the current millennium. Has a horde of silverware, winning Premier Cricket premierships in 2009-10 and 12-13, one-day titles in 2009-10, 12-13 and 13-14 as well as a pair of T20 flags in 2007-08 and 12-13. Also earned four Team of the Year nods. Scored a career-best 173 twice, both times against Northcote and both times in a qualifying final – 2003-04 and 2004-05. Took two career wickets.
8. Warren Ayres (Melbourne, Dandenong)
Despite scoring the majority of his runs before 2000 — the cut off point for this list — it’s just impossible to leave Ayres out. Over 4500 runs (in all forms) was the reflection of Ayres’ ability. His 15, 227 runs remains the competitions best.
7. Allan Wise (Richmond/Monash Tigers)
Fiercely competitive, the tall left-arm paceman squeezed every bit out of himself in a 19-year career with the Tigers. When an Achilles injury threatened to end his career at 36, he refused to yield and returned the following season to surpass Tigers great Graeme Paterson’s wicket-taking record of 505. Wise finished with 541 wickets, at 18.1, 270 First XI games and best figures of 7-29. He took 12 five-wicket hauls, was a two-time premiership player and was made a Tigers life member in 2016.
6. James Nanoupoulos (Dandenong, Frankston Peninsula)
What was a stunning career at Dandenong is continuing to blossom at Frankston Peninsula. Earlier this season, the modest all-rounder became just the 14th Victorian Premier cricketer to record 4500 runs and 400 wickets in the history of the competition.
5. Peter Dickson (Melbourne, Fitzroy Doncaster)
The ninth greatest run-scorer in Premier Cricket history. We could probably just stop there and there’d be little argument but here’s a taste of his jaw-dropping numbers. The legendary run-machine finished his career with 10,045 runs, 15 centuries and 200 wickets from 298 appearances with Melbourne and Fitzroy Doncaster. However, it was as a Lion that he achieved the most. A two-time premiership captain, 246 matches, 8848 runs (second most in club history) at an average of 40.40, 14 centuries, a career-best 226 not out in the 2015-16 grand final triumph over Ringwood and 181 wickets. Staggeringly, only made the Team of the Year three times.
4. Dean Russ (Footscray)
Now the 11th greatest run-scorer in Premier Cricket history and nearing the magical 10,000 mark. Before he walks out against St Kilda this weekend – and a finals campaign – Russ has amassed 9457 runs in 305 appearances for the Bulldogs. The star bat has 17 centuries, including a matchwinning 108 not out in Round 14 this season. Captained the club, then known as Footscray Edgewater, to the Premier Cricket and T20 double and made his Sheffield Shield debut in 2013-14, is a five-time Team of the Year member and was awarded the Ryder Medal in 2021-22, just to add an individual cherry to an already highly-decorated career. Also took his 100th First XI wicket this season.
3. David King (Ringwood)
The brilliant left-handed batsman and right-handed bowler has enjoyed a fantastic career, winning the Ryder medal in 2019-20. He’s played over 300 games for Ringwood, at all levels, scoring just under 10,000 First XI runs. You can add in more than 250 wickets as well. King doesn’t appear to be slowing down either. An underrated fielder too. King has 18 First XI centuries, averaging just under 40.
2. Evan Gulbis (Carlton, Prahran)
The anchor of Carlton’s current golden generation. The Blues have won two Premier Cricket premierships, three T20 titles and a National T20 championship in the past five years with Gulbis leading the team. A big game player, Gulbis scored 148 not out in the 2018-19 grand final triumph against Geelong. Has 7301 runs in 224 appearances for Carlton and Prahran with 6912 of them coming in navy blue and is nearing 10,000 for Carlton across all competitions. Also has 182 wickets with a best of 6-45 in the 2018-19 preliminary final win over Essendon – in which he also scored 130. Three of his five five-wicket hauls have come in finals. A three-time Team of the Year member, Victoria and Tasmania representative and Big Bash player with Hobart and Melbourne Stars.
1. Graeme Rummans (St Kilda)
It just had to be Graeme Rummans. The stylish left-handers career spanned from 2002-03 to 2015-16 and in that time, he accumulated four successive premierships, back-to-back John Scholes Medals, three Jack Ryder Medals and ultimately became St Kilda’s all-time leading run scorer. His 208-match career netted 8644 runs at an average of 48.83, with 20 centuries, 54 fifties and a high-score of 233 not out.
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