Tara Murray
Kealba-Green Gully has taken big steps forward this season in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association.
The Courgars’ top side has long been one of the standout teams of the George Luscombe Shield, but the club’s other sides at times have struggled.
This season, all three of the club’s sides have made finals in a big boost for the club.
First XI captain Brody Psaila said it had been good to see all three sides have successful seasons.
“In previous seasons, the firsts have had success,” he said. “This time the second and third XIs have had some success too.
“All three teams making finals is awesome going forward. I’ve been here six or seven years and I don’t remember the second XI making finals.
“It’s not a regular occurrence.”
Psalia said the difference this season had been the commitment of the players on and off the field.
He said players were stepping up to take on roles to ensure things were getting done. Even when the club was hit hard by COVID in the first round after Christmas, with nine players out, others stepped up.
“Warren Kelly and Evan Long have stepped up,” he said. “New recruits like Aaron Amos have started taking on roles.
“Things that needed to be done were done.”
The Luscombe Shield side finished the regular season in third spot. They are set to face Pascoe Vale Central in a knockout semi final on Saturday.
Buckley Park is set to face the Chargers in the other semi final, with the two winners to play in a best of three grand final series.
Speaking before the final, Psaila said they were confident they could perform well in the finals.
“Start to really produce as a team and we’re confident that we can get it done,” he said.
“It all depends on who turns up on the day. The best team on the day will win.”
He said their experience would be a key in any success that they have in finals.
“We’ve got a lot of experience,” he said.
“There’s players like Jarrod Catania who are seven time premiership players. Their experience in finals is second to none.
The second side are set to face the Chargers in the Stringer Shield, while the third side was knocked out of the Musgrove Sunday group D competition in the qualifying finals.
