By Tara Murray
Deer Park is not only the kings of the jungle but are the kings of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
On Saturday, the Lions made it back-to-back premierships with a commanding win against Yarraville Club in the grand final.
After a strong bowling performance on day one, the Lions batters got the job done early on on day three to see the game called with more than a day’s play remaining.
Lions opener Aaron Shellie said it was pretty special.
“It was good, you always play the game to win flags,” he said. “For me it was good to repay the faith after a tough year.”
Shellie said they were rapt to have kept the Clubbers to 184 on day one with their batting line up.
Shellie opened the batting on Saturday with Angelo Emmanuel and they set the tone.
It had taken some time during the season to sort out the batting line, but Shellie said they had all found their roles late in the season.
“Angelo is a weapon,” he said. “I’m down the other end and he keeps me calm and level headed.
“I can lose it a little bit at the other end.”
The task at the start of play on day three was simple.Day two had been washed out.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” Shellie said. “It was pretty sticky.
“We wanted to get through the first hour and we knew it would flatten out. We wanted to be none down after the first hour to be in a good position to chase down the runs.”
The openers put on 125 for the opening partnership and were just two wickets down when they passed the Clubbers total.
Shellie ticked off a century and earned himself the nickname from his teammates Mr Centurion, before going out on 103.
The Lions were 4-248 when the game ended.
Shellie said this century was more special than the others he had made.
“I had a year to forget,” he said. “I don’t get emotional, but this one meant a lot coming from Coburg to Deer Park.
“It has been a tough ride and I haven’t performed how I would have liked. They kept the faith, the side, supporters and the coach.”
Shellie said playing in his first four day grand final, he wasn’t sure what to expect with how the game would end.
He said they thought they might have played a bit longer, but knew the Clubbers were a long way back still needing 16 wickets and some runs to get the win.
The Lions partied through the night, with many not sleeping as they celebrated their third premiership in four years.
Shellie, who had the premiership flag and medal around his neck on Sunday morning as he chatted, said they were heading back for more celebrations.
He said the club had become a home for him.
“When I come over, I wanted it to be somewhere I would never leave and my kids would play at,” he said.
“They are a good family club and the guys have been great.
“All the kids are best mates and throwing cricket balls at each other.”
