By David Nagel
Can Tooradin take a massive first step in its quest for a first premiership in nine years or will perennial powerhouse Kooweerup emerge as this year’s premiership favourites?
That telling question will be answered when the Seagulls and Demons meet in the WGCA Premier Division major semi-final at Tooradin on Saturday.
Here’s a close look at the two combatants…
WGCA Premier Division – Major Semi-Final
Tooradin (1) v Kooweerup (2)
Tooradin Stats…
Over 150 Runs: Cal O’Hare 525, Tom Hussey 404, Russell Lehman 314, Dylan Sutton 242, Brad Butler 199, Aaron Avery 163, Josh Lownds 159, Ben Parrott 125, Tyler Evans 115.
Over 10 Wickets: Kallan Braid-Ball 20, Russell Lehman 16, Dylan Sutton 16, Josh Lownds 14, Brad Butler 11.
Kooweerup Stats…
Over 150 Runs: Chris Bright 482, Luke McMaster 358, Chris O’Hara 149, Cody Miller 136, Matt Davey 136, Videsh Dassanayake 118.
Over 10 Wickets: Matthew Bright 22, Jess Mathers 15, Luke McMaster 14, Adam McMaster 11.
Preview
They’ve filled the top-two positions on the ladder since round five and now Tooradin and Kooweerup will battle for the tasty prize of a home grand final at Tooradin on Saturday.
Kooweerup led the competition from the start of the season all the way through to round 10, before the Seagulls swooped in round 11 and decided it was a lofty perch worth fighting for.
The Gulls have been the best and most consistent team all season and despite the quality of this week’s opponent deserve to go in as favourites.
Their inspirational skipper, Cal O’Hare, is no longer the feared all-rounder that once caused havoc with both bat and ball.
A giant of the WGCA, in both stature and deed, O’Hare has instead focussed in on his batting and is having a career best season as a consequence.
A total of 525 runs tell just part of the story, with O’Hare playing some great cricket in the early part of the season while his fellow guns were still loading.
His 11 visits to the crease have been super-consistent, with just three scores under 30 getting the Seagulls off to a steady start more often than not.
The Seagulls other key strength is obvious, with star batter Tom Hussey returning to the type of form that saw him lead the Seagulls to their last premiership success in 2013.
For those lucky enough to be at Devon Meadows that day…his 146 will forever live in the memory bank!
But this Seagulls’ side has something extra about it, a special something that screams of being able to escape from any predicament that finals series inevitably throw your way.
Of the four contenders that remain…the Gulls have the most dangerous fire-power in the mid to lower order.
Dylan Sutton, Brad Butler, Josh Lownds, Ben Parrott and Tyler Evans have all chimed in with valuable runs this season, while the experience of Aaron Avery is almost guaranteed to come to the fore over the next three weeks of cricket.
The ability to handle pressure and deal with difficult situations…that’s when Avery is at his best!
The Gulls’ opponent this week is a feared one…the mighty Kooweerup who has thoroughly earned its reputation as a club that knows how to win.
They treasure that reputation, and as they walked off Gunton Oval last season – as defeated grand finalists – you just knew they were going to bounce back.
Let’s face facts; if Chris Bright has a day out the Demons will probably win with the hard-hitting and explosive opener the best in the business at devastating attacks.
He’s got an eye like a dead-fish…and when he hits them they definitely stay hit!
But this Kooweerup team has had a bit of feel of Bright or nothing about this season, which is why the return to form of Luke McMaster last week has come at precisely the right time of year.
His 89 not out, his first half century since round seven, reminded us all of his capabilities.
The Demons have a nice mix with the ball, with Matt Bright the most frugal spinner in the comp, while Jess Mathers, John Bright and McMaster can stir things up with their pace.
It promises to a beauty…but it’s the Seagulls to take a giant step towards their first premiership in almost a decade with a nail-biting two-wicket…or 10 run win.
