The Rhode less travelled

The Rhode Less Traveled 

The long journey of Moonee Valley batsman Brendan "Jonty" Rhodes in search of that elusive century finally came to an end when he raised his bat and saluted at Ormond Park on December 8.
It had been a long 30-year crusade for the popular Jonty before he got the triple figures on the board - and wasn't he happy with it. In his third season now at the Valley, the popular clubman and committee member was roundly applauded when he had to walk off the oval with 100 retired not out to his name.
Jonty has taken on a lower-grade selection role this season, is co-captain of the Sixths and has also started helping out with the juniors, so it was fitting that four of our up-and-comers, including two playing their first senior game, were in the team with him when they beat Pascoe Vale United.
At left: Popular batsman Brendan "Jonty" Rhodes after his maiden century - fittingly played at home at Ormond Park.
"Never thought this would happen to me," Jonty enthused after the achievement.
"Greatest day of my cricketing life, premierships aside! And even better, we won."
Jonty's popularity was evident by the number of comments and likes on his Facebook page, both from Valley clubmates, from his family and friends and from cricket mates from a past career.
Jonty had an obvious determination from the first ball in the milestone match, opening the batting with John Petropoulos and playing some wonderful shots along the way - bringing up his 50 with a glorious six.
He showed no nervousness as he approached the magical three-figures, and came off the ground to an ovation when he reached the century.
Moonee Valley posted 2/211 cc based on Jonty's knock, and won the match by 49 runs. His two sixes doubled his career tally, and Jonty doubled up a magic weekend by playing in the winning Fourths the next day.
Jonty's cricketing journey has taken him to clubs across a number of states, including playing for his home town Daysdale in NSW, Balldale in NSW, Oaklands juniors (NSW), Eaton in Western Australia, Shenfield in the UK and Barnawartha/Chiltern in Victoria. Playing for North Richmond in the Hawkesbury District Cricket Association, Jonty got to 88not out in 2010 - the closest he'd come to date on his journey. But Jonty has reached the mark now, with his adopted club Moonee Valley, and we all salute him.
And in another milestone on December 10, hard-hitting Fifths batsman and strike bowler Liam Farrell played his 50th game - now the third member of Paddy/Dom crew to reach 50.