With Grand Final week in full swing, we have an extra special Tah Talk with Joel Foster for you. It’s jam packed full of
Joel looks at everything to do with this weekend’s Grand Finals across both M1s and M2s, the impact of Ryan Hadley and Jack Edwards, what Premiership victory will mean for the club, and the MIG’s record breaking weekend.
A big thank you once again to Scott MacNeill and the team at Gibson MacNeill Lawyers for their partnership with this season. If you have any legal needs, no matter the size, visit them at www.gibsonmacneill.com.au
What a weekend we have in store
Well, I can’t believe we have got to this stage of the season. Grand Finals. Across both our 1st and 2nd Grade sides. It is hard to fathom where we are.
A Premier Cricket season is a long and arduous time. Big days in the field, plenty of pressure with the bat. It builds up a type of resilience that only cricketers know.
With our 1st Grade side, there have been challenges with players coming in and out, and there have also been unknown waters I have had to wade through as a first season captain.
But each of those factors are part of what have allowed us to reach this Grand Final. It’s not just batting, bowling and fielding.
It’s character. And this team has plenty of that.
Hadley shows true Manly spirit
2 names that won’t be on our team sheet for this weekend are Ryan Hadley and Jack Edwards.
While it will pain Manly supporters to not have them in our side, there are 2 people who are more hurt but the omission. Ryan and Jack themselves.
“Hads” has secured a short-term contract to play with Glamorgan, and unfortunately they did not give him clearance to play last weekend. To say that he was gutted is an understatement.
No one has put more effort in for our club over the last 6 or 7 season than Ryan Hadley and winning a first-grade premiership at Manly has always been a key goal for him.
But we all understand that this is too good an opportunity to give up. Having flown out this week, we know he’ll be cheering online.
Injury strikes Edwards
After another fantastic season with NSW and the Sydney Sixers, Jack Edwards was preparing for his flight over to the IPL, having secured a contract with the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
However, a routine scan has revealed a stress fracture to the foot, and Jack has been consigned to a moon boot ever since. He has also been consigned to the shores of Australia.
Due to his IPL gig, he was never going to be suiting up for us anyway. In an ironic twist, he has now been able to play a part in our preparation and game day and will be there over the weekend to help get the boy’s home.
Trewartha the terrific
What a phenomenon Zach Treartha is. A fellow first year captain but also a fellow long-term player, Zach is passionate about his club and his team.
But he is even more passionate for his players.
I know Zach has the utmost faith in his squad. They believe they are the best team and deserve this Premiership victory.
Nothing is a guarantee in life, but they are primed and ready to go.
The boys take on Northern Districts in a repeat of last year’s Grand Final. We weren’t able to take away the trophy last year, but the core of the team is the same and they will be extra hungry for success.
There is so much experience in their side, from Hole to O’Sullivan to Trewartha himself.
But there is also a great sprinkling of youth, especially with the ball. Julian Osbourne and Josh Lawson are immense talents.
NDs are a great side and a great club, so it’s going to be a wonderful challenge.
Zach and his team are up for it.
What this means
These Grand Finals mean everything to our Club.
Our Men have won at least one Premiership every year since the 2020/21 season, and we are not about to let that streak run dry.
Our club is about many things, but this shows that success is one of them.
Both teams cannot wait to represent the Northern Beaches this weekend and bring home some silverware.
Warringah show the way
I can’t write an article this week without mentioning the mighty Men in Green. Winning the Premiership in the top 4 Grades (there are 5 Shires Grades) is an accomplishment you only ever dream about.
In-fact it has never been done in Shires Cricket.
I would like to provide my personal congratulations to 1st Grade Captain Hamish Ferguson, Club President Chris Melville, and the entire playing group, coaching staff and volunteers for what is one of, if not the, greatest seasons ever.
In all honesty, they have been threatening to do something like this for a couple of years.
It shows that cricket on the Northern Beaches is in great shape.
Go the MIG.
