By Russell Bennett
WGCA PREMIER GRAND FINAL
THE LEADERS
Kooweerup legend George Glasscock said it was the best pace bowling performance he’d ever seen.
Current Premier skipper and now two-time premiership winner at the club Mark Cooper said he’d never seen another West Gippsland display like it either.
Demons vice-captain Chris Bright said he’s the best bowler, and possibly the best player in the competition.
No higher praise could be given to Jess Mathers in claiming his third straight Lex Duff Medal as the best player in the WGCA Premier division grand final with a bowling performance that simply won’t be forgotten by those who saw it.
The figures say it all – 28 overs, 11 maidens, no extras, 9/49.
But the last thing Mathers, who is a polarising figure around the league – particularly among those who don’t know him, wanted to do late on Sunday afternoon was talk about himself.
All he wanted to do was celebrate with his team mates – celebrate a second-straight premiership win over their famous rivals, celebrate another premiership win that meant the world to all of them.
Cooper was in a much more reflective mood though, standing proudly on the Demons logo painted on the ground.
First, he spoke about his side’s effort with the bat.
“Probably the thing that would have hindered us was not batting our 80 overs, like last year,” he said.
“That could have cost us a final, and we’d spoken about that a lot.
“Throughout the year we hadn’t batted our 80 overs, maybe from being too aggressive.
“We tried to address that through the finals.”
Cooper explained that’s partially why the technically-correct and patient Lachie Ramage found his place in the top four, and why a re-evaluation of their performance through an honest and frank team discussion post-Christmas was so needed.
“The toss of the coin was pretty lucky for us on Saturday though,” Cooper added.
“Batting in those conditions – Dom, I’m sure, would have done the same.
“It was an important toss for us to win, but the cameos or the hitting later in the day with how it was set up at that stage… that was really important. It was crucial.”
The Demons’ innings was well placed at 2/99 at tea on day one, but the side powered forward in the second session, thanks not only to Cooper but also to Bright, Mathers, Matt Bright, and Mitch Cammarano.
For his own part, Cooper said he was just glad to have more of an impact than he did last year (with a disastrous run-out).
“It was really good to get a few runs,” he said, proudly.
“Throughout my career people have questioned me a lot, and I often feel like I have to prove myself. Again, I felt like I had to prove myself in this finals series a little bit.”
And then, on day two, Mathers went from crucial factor with the willow, to sheer match-winner with the ball – proving his ability once again.
Cooper explained how Mathers and opening partner John Bright bowled a super-disciplined 32 overs together, going at a shade over a run an over for large parts of their partnership.
Mathers, clearly, was extraordinary on Sunday but Cooper knew he was fired up in the lead-up.
“My left leg, from Thursday night (training), is very saw and very, very bruised,” he said.
“I kept getting smashed in my back leg against him, and it’s still very sore.”
Cooper admitted that, at one stage, he thought Mathers was going to take all 10 Lions wickets on Sunday.
“It was a really, really impressive display,” he said.
“The stats speak for themselves, but we’re just really rapt for him.”
Bright was just as emphatic talking about Mathers, his great mate and his co-vice captain.
“We just thought that if Jess gets five wickets in a game, we (usually) win,” he said.
“With the way he bowls, it’s not just what he did in this game, it’s what he’s done for us since he’s come to the club.
“He doesn’t rate himself that highly – he just comes in and bowls – but he really doesn’t realise what he does for the side, and we hold him in the highest regard as the best bowler in the league.”
