VSDCA: Oakleigh appoints former Premier Cricketer Matt Grace as coach

Oakleigh’s new coach has a list of former players he wants to get back to the club as the Oaks seek more success in Subbies.

Matthew Grace bowling for Forest Hill. Picture: David Crosling

“Super excited,” Matt Grace fizzed after being unveiled as Oakleigh’s new playing-coach.

The 28-year-old has spent the past four seasons coaching Forest Hill in the Box Hill Reporter District Cricket Association, guiding the club to a couple of flags.

But when the Oaks came knocking, he didn’t need to be asked twice.

“It’s a massive powerhouse of a club and it has an amazing culture that I’m looking forward to getting involved in,” Grace said of Oakleigh.

Grace said he “felt like the time was right” to move on from Forest Hill, where he loved his time.

“And you don’t get a call up from a club like Oakleigh every day,” he said.

“An opportunity to go to a club like that, you grab it with both hands.”

Matthew Grace of Forest Hill batting. Picture: Hamish Blair

Grace is a former Fitzroy Doncaster and Prahran all-rounder who will bolster an already strong Oakleigh side.

He said he would likely slot into the Oaks middle order and bowl first change.

Grace said Oakleigh was fortunate to have quality experienced players like Blake Pearson, Ryan Pearson, Brendan McGuinness, Sam Jones and Andrew Splatt.

Brendan McGuinness batting for Oakleigh. Picture: Andy Brownbill

He’s hopeful several former Oaks players will return for season 2022-23.

“I’ve got a list of players that have played a lot of First XI cricket in the last five or six years that haven’t played in the last year or two due to the pandemic,’’ Grace said.

“There’s a small handful of them that are showing a fair bit of interest in coming back, and they are first and seconds quality.

“So that should be really good, we’re going to get recruits I suppose even though they’re Oakleigh boys it’s going to feel like we’ve picked up a few players straight away.

“I’m looking forward to speaking to those boys and getting them back down.”

Oakleigh president Peter Webb said Oakleigh was thrilled to secure Grace.

“We’ve had our eyes in him for quite some time so we’re very happy to get him across to the club,” Webb said.

“He’s exactly what we need. I’ve just finished a phone call with him…he’s on the job well and truly already planning pre season.

“He’s extremely keen and really looking forward to the task. We set pretty high standards at Oakleigh so he’s looking forward to maintaining them basically.”

Oakleigh has enjoyed great success in the pasttwo decades.

The Oaks made the finals last season for the 20th consecutive season.

In that time there have been 10 grand finals and six premierships for the firsts.

Oakleigh has also won the club championship seven times and come runner up eight times.

The Oaks have also won the T20 five times.