Here’s a summer feel-good(ish) story for ya. 

So a colleague of mine is a cricket-loving Kiwi who plays in an amateur league here in Melbourne. The name of the league escapes me, but it’s pretty well organised whereby they have player ranking points across the all teams. My mate is pretty good and as such, got selected to represent the Kiwi ‘All-Star’ team or some such in a one-off exhibition game played today. 

Weeks ago he cane to me with his good news of selection. With his limited knowledge of AFL, my mate said rumour was getting about that a footy star was going to be on the team. Some tall bloke with a beard, he says. I immediately opened a file on my work computer filled with humorous Max facial expression pics that I use to punctuate light-hearted emails  and showed him - is this the bloke? 

Confirmed, Max Gawn was selected as wicket keeper / batsman for today’s game! I haven’t seen too many keepers of Max’s height, but apparently he goes alright! I’ve read about his passion for the Black Caps and the fact he was born there so makes sense I guess. My mate said he’s a ripping bloke. 

Anyway, the Kiwis lost needing 2 runs off the last ball. Guess who had most of the strike in the last but couldn’t get bat to ball? Can’t win em all; shades of R1 2018. At least he didn’t pull a hammy or anything. My mate was pretty filthy on the loss so I don’t have much match detail at this stage, he said it was too soon so must have been a heartbreaker. 

But best of all, my mate was kind enough, and Maxy gracious enough, to sign a picture for my 4.5 yo twin daughters to go alongside their one from Daisy Pearce on our fridge. The conditioning is almost complete. 

Thanks Maxy, go Dees! 

Just our luck for him to break a finger.

On a different note, does Simon Goodwin still play local cricket in the off season? I believe he was having a hit somewhere around Northcote area maybe last year or the year before??

And people actually want this bloke to be captain! What great leadership - putting himself at risk of injury for the sake of an exhibition cricket match! 

On a serious note, thanks for sharing - stories like this are what makes Demonland great.

I have visions of him being a wicked fast bowler.
Joel Garner style.

50 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

On a different note, does Simon Goodwin still play local cricket in the off season? I believe he was having a hit somewhere around Northcote area maybe last year or the year before??

He does. Mate of my played against him recently. Goody to 3/17 or the like. Goes alright, apparently.

1 hour ago, chook fowler said:

Just our luck for him to break a finger.

My mate texted me saying Maxy had broken his ankle running between wickets. Poor humour ?

42 minutes ago, Swooper said:

He does. Mate of my played against him recently. Goody to 3/17 or the like. Goes alright, apparently.

Represented SA back in the day and was close to being looked at by Australian selections I believe.

Thanks dazzler, never knew Goody had a cricket background.

I looked it up and he was co-captain (not a recent concept, then!) of South Australia's Under 19 team, but it would appear that footy took over from that point so I'm not sure how much attention he attracted from the Australian selectors as he never played 1st class cricket.

Clearly, he was one of those kids who was just really good at sports of all kinds.   Reckon we all went to school with one of those!

12 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Represented SA back in the day and was close to being looked at by Australian selections I believe.

Underage level, not Shield

Was told in no uncertain terms by Blight that he’d not be playing cricket again

Yep it's good that Max didn't nurse hmself but I don't believe you can wrap em up in bubble wrap either.

If this activity keeps him vibrant, positive and in good spirits it's ok by me.

Enjoy yourself and keeping agile and fit at the same time is all good