Seconds take out the 2024 flag

Moonee Valley's Seconds won the 2023/24 flag after prevailing in a nail-biter over Melton South on March 16/17.
The result was in the balance up to the end, before a superb bowling spell by man of the match Jim Polonidis snuffed out Melton South's hopes 11 runs short of our modest total.

Jim took 5/31 and also scored a direct hit runout from side-on.
Above: Our victorious Seconds. L-R: Back - scorer Brendan Rhodes, Mitchell Higgs, Paul Sevenson, Mark Gauci, Jason Walsh, Luka Anderson, Jordy Walsh, Tom Morrissy. Front - Henry Thomas, Dom Gibaldi, Jim Polonidis, Geoff McKeown, Zac Nilsson and Oscar McKeown.
A reverse outright in Game 11 helped us sneak into the finals in fourth spot, then we knocked off the top team Gellibrand in the Semi.
We were under the pump in the Grand Final when Tom Morrissy, fresh from his 6/26 heroics in the Semi, went down while batting and suffered a dislocated shoulder, and we finished the innings nine down for 110 while he was in hospital.
And we didn't have Tommy's bowling - but not to matter. On a deteriorating pitch, Jimmy Pol bowled us to victory, backed up by wickets from Mitchell Higgs and Zac Nilsson (2 each).
The victory had great merit, with six of the team being aged 18 and under. The other five were in the veterans class, including 400-gamer Mark Gauci, Jim Polonidis' 350 games of experience and Geoff McKeown bringing up his 200th game in the decider.
With the young players now experiencing Grand Final pressure, and two other teens playing in the Firsts Grand Final, we're in good hands for the future.
*****For more pictures and vision of the Seconds Premiership, click HERE
*****For words and more pictures on Grand Final day - and night - at Ormond Park, click HERE .


SENIOR PRESENTATION NIGHT 2024

The Moonee Valley Cricket Club senior presentation night is being held at the Moonee Ponds Club, 622 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds on Saturday April 13.
The Moonee Ponds Club has been one of our major sponsors since 2004 and has put together an excellent three-course menu for us, including a choice of three mains plus a vegetarian option.
The Moonee Ponds Club has held its prices at last year's level so tickets are still $65 per person, and $60 for juniors and Life Members. Drinks are at MPC member prices.
A link will be available on our club website shop, www.mooneevalleycricketstore.com.au to pay in advance for your tickets, or payment can be made on the night.
The night commences at 6.30 for a 7pm start.
We will be honoring our season and our achievements.
Further information - Charlie Walker 0411 705 381.


Geoff brings up his 200-game milestone in the big match

Geoff McKeown's 200th game was a reward for persistence, and he had the honor of bringing up his milestone in a game that really mattered - a Grand Final, and alongside great mates Mark Gauci and Jim Polonidis.
And for good measure, Geoff's son Oscar took to the field with him when Tom Morrissy dislocated his shoulder during the match and couldn't field.
It was a double celebration for Geoff, as the Seconds won the flag over Melton South in a nail-biter.
Geoff can now call himself a four-time Premiership player.
It's been a long journey for Geoff, a mainstay as keeper for the Firsts before he moved to the south-east suburbs.
At right: A pensive Geoff McKeown waits to go in to bat in his 200th game.
Since then his games have been intermittent due to the distance and family commitments, but Geoff has played the majority of this season and also had the opportunity to pull on the Valley whites alongside his oldest son Oscar - debuting late last season.
Geoff made his Valley debut in 1998/99, so it's been a long haul to get to 200.
He was keeper in our Team of the Decade 2000-09, and was named as wicketkeeper in the North A Division VTCA Team of the Year in our Premiership year of 2009/10 - voted in by the captains of all teams.
Congratulations Geoff on a career well played and still nowhere near over - with more premierships on the way?

Our Most Valuable Player and Fielding

Award winners - our vote count

The Moonee Valley 2023/24 Most Valuable Player and Fieldlow vote count was held at the Ormond Park pavilion on March 10 - and we had plenty to celebrate.
The Firsts and Seconds earlier in the day had won their way into their Grand Finals - so the vote count was a chance to let the hair down before the serious business of concentrating on the game ahead.
There was plenty of enthusiasm from the gathering as Brendan "Jonty" Rhodes ran through his slide show of the vote count and provided expert commentary on the games.
Above: Some of our winners celebrate: L-R Suraj Weerasinghe, Ruwan Jayaweera, Jim Polonidis, Zac Nilsson and Tom Janetzki.
The winners are:
Most Valuable Player 2023/24 - Firsts Ruwan Jayaweera, Seconds Jim Polonidis, Womens Sandra Verschoor, Thirds Prashant Hirani, Fourths Prem Janarthanan, Fifths Minh Vo.
Fielding Awards 2023/24 - Firsts Luca Nimorakiotakis tied with Suraj Weerasinghe, Seconds Zac Nilsson, Womens Sarah Fenn, Thirds Tom Janetzki, Fourths Prem Janarthanan, Fifths Minh Vo.
For the full vote count in each grade and category, click HERE



Announcement: Moonee Valley Senior Coach appointment 2024/25

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Brayden McGregor as Moonee Valley's senior coach for the 2024/25 season.
Brayden joined Moonee Valley as a player half way through the 2022/23 season, and has become 

an integral part of our First Eleven. 
He has played First Eleven cricket for Premier club Carlton, and has been keen to expand his role at Moonee Valley.
His appointment was announced to the players at Ormond Park on March 7 by club Vice-President and 2023/24 coach Mark Gauci.
Gauch was not seeking reappointment as coach, and was actively involved in interviewing Brayden and recommending his appointment to the club executive.
Brayden has been running skills sessions at training throughout the season and has already made an impact on skills development, particularly with the players in the First and Second Elevens.
Above: The appointment of Brayden McGregor (left) as our 2024/25 coach was announced at training by Mark Gauci.

LANKAN CUISINE COMES TO THE VALLEY

Thanks to our Sri Lankan First Eleven players for a taste of their national cuisine - Rusiru Jayasiri, Suraj Weerasinghe and Ruwan Jayaweera took over the Ormond Park kitchen on March 7 and cooked the evening meal.
There were lamb and chicken dishes - suitably spiced - and our trio fed the hordes on selection night for the semi finals.
                 
Above: The meals and our chefs - L-R Suraj Weerasinghe, Rusiru Jayasiri and Ruwan Jayaweera.

Buy club clothing, pay your membership, buy tickets to club functions - do it all at www.mooneevalleycricketstore.com.au

Junior Registration - link here - https://play.cricket.com.au/club/moonee-valley-cricket-club/147223ea-86d8-eb11-a7ad-2818780da0cc

     Main Club contact details:

* Charlie Walker - President 0411 705 381; 9370 1802
* Allan Cumming - Treasurer 0438 380 990
* Brendan "Jonty" Rhodes - Secretary 0419 491 174
* Mark Gauci - Vice President 0457 778 335 
* Paul Sevenson - Junior Co-ordinator - 0407 556 950   

Emails: mooneevalleycricket@gmail.com
        charlie.walker@optusnet.com.au 

For more contacts, see " Office bearers & Officials " under "Club News & Info" at the top of the page

Last updated : March 19, 2024.
For more of our history, including our Premierships, click HERE