VSDCA 2018-19: Michael Sheedy primed for Plenty Valley return
MICHAEL Sheedy will face the club he led to premiership glory for the first time on Saturday when Mt Waverley squares off against Plenty Valley in the VSDCA.
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MICHAEL Sheedy has had Round 4 pencilled in since the VSDCA fixtures were released.
The Mt Waverley playing coach will return to A.K Lines Reserve for the first time since his tenure at Plenty Valley ended in 2016 due to health reasons.
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Sheedy enjoyed a successful stint at the Bats, headlined by Plenty Valley’s maiden club championship in 2013-14 and a First XI premiership in 2014-15.
“I had pencilled that in straight away at the start of the season and it will be good to go back there,” he said.
“It’s always a different feeling when you are playing against a team you have played for, captained and won a flag with.”
Sheedy was given the all clear by doctors last year, declaring he was “fit and firing” after being appointed as Mt Waverley’s mentor.
The top-order batsman will face Plenty Valley in the best form of his time with the Roos after compiling 108 from 110 balls in the club’s 95-run victory over Croydon on Saturday.
“I have to say it was about time. I’ve had a pretty lean 12 months,” Sheedy said.
“Very satisfying and I was very determined to make a mark at three again.”
Sheedy and Mt Waverley skipper Andrew Power (101 not out) both reached triple figures as the Roos amassed 2-256 batting first.
“We set out to have a really strong batting performance and I put the gas on Andy as well as captain,” Sheedy said.
“We were able to get out there and we just batted time early.
“It was a fifth-day wicket, so it was pretty hard to hit off the tram lines. It was a satisfying partnership.”
Plenty Valley has experienced a significant turnover since its grand final triumph under Sheedy, with only all-rounder Sean Ayres and batsman Simon Bray left from the premiership side.
Sheedy said he still rated the Bats as “the yardstick” of the VSDCA.
“Every game for us is massive,” he said.
“This is just another big one for us. This is our real test.
“It’ll be good to get back and see all the familiar faces I potentially haven’t seen for a few years now.”
Angus Robbins (2-19), Kurt Benjamin (2-29) and Jake Rigby (2-23) were Mt Waverley’s multiple wicket-takers on Saturday as Croydon was dismissed for 161.
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