St Joseph’s veteran Jono Casey strikes even century against Newtown & Chilwell in GCA1 first grade

A shift up the order for a popular and passionate St Joseph’s wicket keeper has paid the ultimate dividends.

St Joseph's veteran Jono Casey produced his maiden GCA1 first grade ton against Newtown & Chilwell. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

You’d be hard pressed to find a more devoted St Joseph’s clubman than Jono Casey, so there was no surprise to see the collective joy at Zampatti Oval last week as the respected Joeys stalwart struck his maiden GCA1 century, spearheading the victory over Newtown and Chilwell.

An agile and deft wicketkeeper, Casey has typically batted down the order, prioritising his work with the gauntlets in support of St Joseph’s more than capable bowling outfit.

However, an elevation up the order has brought out the best in the 34-year-old, no more evidenced than last week’s brilliant 170-ball even 100, punctuated by 10 fours and two sixes. Casey – two years senior to his equally talented brother, Andrew – shared something of his journey with GCA1 reporter Wes Cusworth.

St Joseph's veteran Jono Casey recorded his maiden GCA1 first grade ton against Newtown & Chilwell in Round 13. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

Wes Cusworth: You must be feeling elated at cracking this breakthrough century.

Jono Casey: Yeah, to be honest, it probably didn’t sink in until Sunday.

It’s a dream for me because I always grew up as a junior at Joey’s, wanting to play seniors, then wanting to play, wicket keep and make a 100 in the firsts.

Having ticked that last box makes me happy.

WC: There was certainly a hint of what you were capable of with that 61 against Highton back in round 10

JC: Definitely. The last three or four seasons, while I’ve moved up and down the order at times, I’ve probably gotten to know my game.

I’m 34 and I know my game a lot better than what I did 10 years ago; maybe being a little bit selfish in some respects where I’ve got to bat a bit longer and get through some tough periods.

That game against Highton, I opened the batting with my brother (Andrew), we had a really good opening stand, and I got a lot of confidence from that; that played out last Saturday.

Casey’s elevation up the order has paid the ultimate dividends. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

WC: Whose idea was it to come up the order?

JC: I think it was a bit of a coincidence. I batted at five against Newtown and Chilwell, the game before Christmas, and, funnily enough, got a duck.

The order was going to change a little bit, but then Ryan Simmonds was unwell, so he missed the Highton game.

He’d been opening the batting for a few games prior to Christmas and we needed someone to go up and I’d done it before, so it just got handed to me.

I’ve stayed in that top four now for the last few games.

WC: What were your takeaways from that 2013-14 season playing Premier Cricket at Geelong?

St Joseph's’ Jono Casey is congratulated by Tom Smith after making his maiden first grade century. Picture: Wes Cusworth

JC: I really loved it, but the challenge was the travel. I played most of the season in the seconds, so I was playing on the very best Premier Cricket grounds.

The wickets and the talent to keep to were amazing.

My batting was probably how it had been for a number of years between my 20s and 30s, where I had a couple of all right games, couple of lesser games and then, it just didn’t quite progress.

I’ve played with so many guys that I now play against or have played with at Joeys.

It was a great time at Geelong, I loved it and would have had more seasons, but I was wanting to get back to Joeys because they won that 2013-14 flag the season I was down at Geelong.

WC: Obviously, you’re no stranger to success with the gloves, having been a part of St Joseph’s premiership the next season in 2014-15, alongside your younger brother Andrew. That must have been a special time.

Jono Casey's 100 was a key part of St Joseph's total of 260 against Newtown & Chilwell. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

JC: Yeah, it was absolutely amazing. We had our 10-year reunion recently.

Half the side was there on Saturday night, which was great for them to celebrate with me, with my own milestone.

Andrew is a couple of years younger than me, and then Jack O’Donoghue was in that side and he’s my best mate.

I look across the board and there were guys who have played high level VCA cricket. Andrew Hodgson is another really good mate of mine; it was a very special time.

WC: It also helps you appreciate the fact that these things are very hard-fought and don’t come along every season.

JC: Exactly right. I can’t believe 10 years have gone by. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to win another one at first XI level and suddenly, I’m 34 and time’s passing.

Who knows how much longer I’ve got left. There were some good signs last week that help you enjoy cricket, even though it can be tough sometimes, when you’re not winning, or things aren’t going your way.

We had a good day as a team, which makes it so much more worth it.

St Joseph's keeper Jono Casey behind the stumps. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

WC: I know for a time you were travelling with Andrew to play football with Nullawil up in the Mallee, but he’s now signed with Bell Post Hill. Is footy still on the cards for you or is it all about just the cricket now?

JC: Yeah, footy’s all wrapped up for me from a playing perspective. I might look at coaching again. I’d previously done some co-coaching with Andrew Hodgson at Queenscliff.

Yeah, I think a year off altogether from footy for this year ahead, and then we’ll see maybe after that.

I think the playing days are all done now, I’ll go up and support Andrew at Bell Post Hill. I’ll watch him play, while he’s doing a bit of a coaching role up there, too.

WC: Who have been the biggest influences in terms of your wicketkeeping?

JC: I did some representative cricket, so I did a lot of work with Andre Borovec as a 14 to 17-year-old; he taught me some really good basics. Up at St Joseph’s Damian Ford was finishing as I was entering.

I’ll never forget watching him doing centre-wicket practice and keeping up to everyone. I wanted to be like that.

I also did a lot of work with Michael O’Sullivan. It was ‘Boro’ from a development perspective and the other two being St. Joseph’s people and wicket keepers of the club.

WC: It hasn’t been the easiest season for the Joeys, but I imagine wins like last week are a good reminder of what you’re capable of.

JC: Yeah, 100 per cent. From a batting perspective, it has been a struggle at times, but if you get one or two guys to get beyond 50 or build some bigger partnerships, we can make the runs and we know we can do it.

That’s what we’ve lacked this season. Our bowling has probably been up there with the top couple of sides if you look at wickets taken and runs against us.

Unfortunately, it’s taken until the second last round to be able to chase down a solid total. We’ve had some change over time and some new guys come in and others finish up, so it’s about consistency moving forward and we’ve got a group that can hopefully build on a great day last week.

From a first XI perspective, we’ve been pretty competitive for a number of seasons without making it into that top four.

Last season we just missed out on making the four on percentage, with the last game heated off. We’re not far away, that’s for sure.

Originally published as St Joseph’s veteran Jono Casey strikes even century against Newtown & Chilwell in GCA1 first grade