Tara Murray
Keilor Park all-rounder Dean Gila enhanced his reputation as one of the star players of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2 competition with a second straight best and fairest award.
Gila polled 31 votes to claim the Steve McNamara Medal, to finish seven clear of Newport Digman’s Tyler Johnson
Gila said he was shocked to have claimed this season’s medal.
“I wasn’t sure [if I was a chance], as they were a fair few blokes who had good seasons,” he said.
“I started the year off well, but I slipped away with the bat towards the end of the season.
“I’m more shocked than anything. Winning two in a row is crazy, it’s pretty humbling.”
Gila finished third in the runs scored in the division this season, making 345 at an average of 34.50.
He was the sixth leading wicket taker, claiming 24 wickets at an average of 14.83.
Gila said that until last season, he had never been anywhere near claiming a best and fairest.
He said he couldn’t put his finger on what had suddenly changed.
“I’ve always been a hard trainer and done a lot of extras. It could be to my detriment sometimes.
“For me it’s about doing more, maybe that is why I’ve stepped up.”
Gila who has played all his cricket with the Devils, also plays football for Keilor Park. He said cricket is his number one love.
He said as a team and him personally, there’s a few aims for the side going forward. The side finished sixth this year.
“Team success is what we strive for,” he said.
“I think maybe one or two keys away to be set.
“For me, I’d like to be good with both the bat and ball in the same game. It’s always one or the other.
“I want to get out of that pattern soon.”
Gila was also named in the division 2 team of the year, alongside Devils teammate Trent Thompson.
In the senior division, Druids coach Michael Hay claimed the Roy Paxino Medal, on 26 votes.
He finished two ahead of Strathmore’s Chris Williams and Sunshine United grand final most valuable player Thomas Duxon.
All three were named in the team of the year, along with St Albans’ Thilina Masmulla, Geeth Alwis, Arosh Janoda and Shanaka Silva, and Sunshine United pair Sangaran Nandhalal and Nalin Amaratunga
In division 1, Deer Park’s Angelo Emmanuel finished third in the best and fairest, 17 votes behind runaway winner Daniel Salpietro.
Emmanuel and his Deer Park teammates Gayan De Silva and Mohammed Alfar were named in the team of the year.
Sunshine captain Troy Stone, was named skipper in the division 1 team of the year.
Other winners included, East Keilor’s Louis Ruberto [division 3], Sunbury’s Jason McGann and Moonee Valley’s Nadeera Thuppahi [division 4] and Bellbridge’s Daniel Spencer [division 5].
