By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE man affectionately known in West Gippsland Cricket Association circles as ‘Froggy’ has taken a leap of faith – back to where his cricketing journey began at Gembrook.
Andrew Hilder has signed on with the Brookers as their new player-coach, reprising the role he last held seven years ago.
And with his predecessor, great mate and Brookers favourite son Jeremy Everett, he’s hell bent on leading the club’s 1st XI back up to Sub-District.
“It’s been a while – there’re plenty of new faces up here now so it’ll be an interesting season,” Hilder said from the Gembrook clubrooms recently – his name all over their junior and senior honour boards.
“It’s good – it’s a change of scenery for me having a new bunch of blokes, so cricket will be exciting again.”
Hilder has been a fixture at Pakenham Upper Toomuc’s Yabbieland base in recent years but decided now was the perfect time to head back up the hill – to head home.
“I’m looking for new experiences in my life now,” he said.
“My family situation has changed so I’m just trying to get back amongst the boys and to give something back to the community up here.”
Moving forward, Hilder – who has more than 2000 runs to his name – said Gembrook needed to improve on its output with the willow.
“I think their bowling was pretty good last year but they just needed more runs on the board,” he said.
“If you don’t make 200 you’re going to struggle.
“They’ve got plenty of talent up here, but some of the boys don’t value their wickets enough. If four blokes can turn scores of 10 and 20 into 30 and 40, and someone else bobs up with 60 or 70, there’s 230.”
Hilder said Gembrook was already active in its recruiting – looking at players to add depth in both bowling and batting – and added that the future was bright for the club, with its juniors showing plenty of potential.
Club president Cris Deacon said the Brookers were excited to have Hilder back in the fold.
“As a player he gives us stability as a batsman,” Deacon said.
“Batting is obviously an issue here, as Andrew said, but it’s just that new face and outside influence.
“A couple of years ago we put forward a five-year plan and the club is pretty much on track with that, except for the fact that our ones are still in B Grade.
“We’re really happy with where the club is placed – winning the Best Administered Junior Club and things like that.
“Our under-11 group, particularly, is really strong. Not only are they winning a lot of games of cricket, they’re two or three years younger than their opposition.
“If you run a good club you don’t have to worry too much about player retention… they’ll stay.”
