Robbie Clements has been more up and down than a Gold Coast rollercoaster since his return to Keilor in VTCA cricket.
Clements could not have envisaged a rockier start to the senior division season, out for ducks in his first four digs back at his home club.
Quality batsman that he is, the worm had to turn eventually, so Clements kept his head down, trained hard and eventually changed for the better.
Clements peaked with a majestic 130 not-out in Keilor’s first game into the new year, backing up from a 69 not out pre-Christmas. He could not put a finger on why his form has been so streaky.
“I haven’t really done much different,” he said. “I suppose I had to re-adjust to a different wicket and playing at a different level.
“You get run out and you get a couple of good balls.”
Clements is happy his runs are trending up. Big things were expected of the 22 year old in his return to Keilor, and he is starting to deliver.
Clements could not have been more thrilled to break through for a century in his homecoming season.
He played all his juniors with Keilor, but left after one senior season to pursue a Premier Cricket career with Footscray Edgewater.
The Sydenham resident spent five seasons with the Bulldogs and showed a lot of promise, bouncing between the seconds and thirds.
He made 114 against Camberwell in a third XI game last season, but said he just felt the time was right for a return home to Keilor.
Though he will never shut the door on playing at a higher level again, Clements said, for 2016-17, he can’t think of a better place to be.
“You never know what’s in the future,” he said. “It was interesting seeing what people up the top level do differently, and how you can apply that to your own game.
“You’re playing against guys who have played state level cricket and higher.
“It was an easy decision to come back to Keilor. I have a lot of good friends who play at the club and I’ve loved every minute back here.
“It’s a great place to be.”
Clements could make the difference for Keilor in its premiership quest this season.
The Blues have long had a menacing bowling attack, but the batting department undoubtedly needed a makeover.
Clements was one of the keys to that.
One of the hottest teams in the competition, Keilor has a growing confidence after strong recent form.
This has included beating the top-two sides, followed by a one-day win over Doutta Stars on Saturday.
“I think there’s a real belief amongst the boys that we can do something special this year, as long as we keep working hard and don’t get ahead of ourselves,” Clements said.
“The boys are really concentrating and know what we want to achieve this year.”
Keilor will host Tullamarine at the Keilor Recreation Reserve on Saturday in the final one-day before the two-day games return.
