GRDCC Life Members
2025/26 - Sean Mantle
Sean
2024/25 - Ryan Croom
Ryan
2024/25 - Trent Power
Trent
2020/21 - Ali Ali
Ali began with GRDCC in season 1999/2000 in TCC where he bowled 2 memorable overs for a miserly 0-20 runs. Thankfully he returned for his first full season in 2002/2003 playing in 3rd grade. He picked up a fielding award for his commitment and gritty attitude which included one non flinching episode of ball on chin. Helmets back then were a euphemism.
He has gone on to play all grades, proving that the hard trainers find a way. He has also taken on the thankless task of captaining Metro and TCC sides.
His best seasons included 2005/2006 where he took 21 wickets @ 23.33 including 7 wicket hauls in both 2nd grade and 4th grade; 2014/15 where he took 27 wickets in @ 17.15 in 4’s and 2018/2019 where he took 23 wickets @ 9.74 in 4’s.
With the bat he is less statistically prolific but has played many an important hand in, so far compiling 1929 runs at 13.12. Having played through the club’s darkest days he was rewarded with premiership success in 2008/2009 in TCC and played a central role in 4th grade’s 2012/2013 win bowling 16 overs for 1/31 but more importantly scored a late order 29 that brought the finish line insight.
But statistics and winning trophies won’t win you friends.
Commitment, a big heart and befriending the unfriended will. In Arabic his name means elevated or champion and this guy is an absolute champion bloke and deserving life member.
2020/21 - Alex Economou
Al started his Shires cricketing career with Canterbury in season 1994/95 and it was not long before his pedigree start to shine through, making his 1st grade debut the following season and being a key member of the team for several seasons after that. Al’s success has only continued since wearing the Georges River colours being a part of the premiership winning 3rd grade side in season 2008/09.
Since that time one of Al’s many attributes started to become apparent – that of being a great leader. Season 2012/13 saw Al experience his second premiership win. This was special for a couple of reasons; the win was against an undefeated Briars side is always sweet, however it was particularly special in that Al was given the opportunity to skipper the side in the grand final. This was due to skipper Kevin Croom standing himself down for the grand final in order for a younger player to have their chance – an act of selflessness not lost on the team or forgotten by Al.
From there Al’s leadership successes only continued including being the skipper of the undefeated 3rd grade side in season 2017/18. Al has to be one of our club’s most successful captains, but it is not just by the results in the scorebook but by the respect of the players from his team and across the club that is a true mark of his character.
Al has also been one of our club’s key performers scoring over 5000 runs at an impressive average of almost 30 and a high score of 120. Al receiving the Life Membership award is so richly deserved for this great club man.
2018/2019 - Jason Lill
Jason Lill is a very popular club stalwart whose presence helps to make the club all that it is. Jason has been a long-term player who served on the committee on and off for 10 years and has captained various lower grade teams.
As a player, Jason played mainly in 2s, 3s and 4s as a top order batsman. Jason would do whatever the team needed on any given day in terms of the grade he would play to where he would bat. Jason was also a regular and committed trainer. These attributes are indicative of a great clubman.
Jason, a technically correct batman whose big scores have been hard fort with determination and old-fashioned grit. Whenever Jason scored runs it would lift the entire team’s spirits given his popularity. Jason is also a good fielder where his on field talk is much loved my teammates given its insight and humour - let's not talk about his bowling.
Jason joined the committee at a time when the club was struggling in most areas. During his tenure, he assisted in improving club facilities. Jason was also rumoured to be the author of the clubs much loved magazine ‘The Whisper’. His observations of the season, analysis players and all things cricket
proved to be insightful and ingenuously funny. He was able to capture the culture of the club and key moments. Jason’s happy and committed attitude represents the fabric of our club.
2015/2016 - Ray Buchanan
Ray has been an integral part of the club for decades. As a player he was dominating having his name in our record books for high scores and record partnerships on several occasions. Ray’s work as a Firey and the resulting shifts meant his ability to play as much as he would have liked was inhibited, but when he was on the pitch the let the results do the talking.
Starting out as an opening bat and wicket keeper, his ability in the field soon came to the fore with direct-hit run outs being a regular occurrence stemming from his baseball background. From an early age Ray was a regular fixture in the Bexley 1st grade line- up. It was then in some of the lower grades where he really started to trouble the scorers, ‘tonning-up big’ across 3rd and 4th grades and also in the Metropolitan and Tim Creer Cups right up to the end of his playing days in 200n/200n. His huge second wicket stand with Glen Harrington back in November 1988 in 3rd grade of 243* still stands today.
However it has not all been glorious victories on the field. Club legend Bruce Whitehouse tells of the story while batting with Ray, where after turning on his heels to get back into his crease on a misunderstood call, Ray promptly dislocates his shoulder and is spread-eagled on the pitch. The game was delayed until the arrival of the ambulance, whisking Ray unceremoniously from the
ground.
In addition to be a Life Member in 2015/2016, Ray has also been awarded the Paul Thomas Clubman of the Year award in 2016/2017 and has been a fixture on the committee for many many years to great impact, being a clear representation of his deep and unwavering commitment to our club. Ray is a true club man and richly deserved this award.
2015/2016 - David Jiffkins
Also known as 'The Great One'. A true entertainer who kept his own side as amused as the opposition and umpires. TGO started with Bexley in 1994 and played until 2021 being predominately a bowling all-rounder.
TGO had the ability to play more in the higher grades but played mostly 3rd grade and it was across his 8 seasons as 3rd grade captain that his legacy was born. He regularly won matches from nowhere with his own performances either with the bat or ball and became affectionately known as ‘The Great One’ for these feats. He was also unbeatable at the clubs annual trivia night.
TGO was a prolific wicket taker who could bowl 25 over spells in his heyday. Right arm medium was his trade, controlled swing and seam in both directions. A master craftsman often out thinking the batsman based on their own technical deficiencies. With the bat TGO was swashbuckling, team mates, the opposition, umpires and indeed TGO himself could not predict the entertainment he would bring from ball to ball - his on field theatre was second to none; his protracted one knee appeal under the umpire’s nose, being overwhelmed with emotion if any of his appeals were turned down, his on field banter, entering the field without the ball, walking onto the field with a cigarette, finding an injury, he had it all.
The Great One Captained a strong side to the 2009/10 premiership and his tenure as 3rd grade Captain helped turn the clubs on field performances around. A lover of the club, we love him right back.
2009/2010 - Gavin Scott
Starting his shires career in 1994/95 with Canterbury where he made his first grade debut at 16, Gav was a key part of the inaugural GRDCC in 2003. A genuine all-rounder and a player who could field anywhere and take a key catch or make a key run out. He was a true competitor and the backbone of the first grade teams he played in which saw him first grade captain for much of his career.
As a bowler, Gav developed his right arm orthodox medium pace into genuine pace throughout his long career. Bowling outswingers as his stock ball, Gav also swung it both ways including with the old ball. He would think batsman out often pushing them back in the crease then bowling his trademark off cutter for an LBW or bowled.
Later in his career, in an pre-season trail bowling to teammate Ray Buchanan, Gav tore his ACL. Gav’s bowling was then limited to medium pace but his ability to move the ball in the air and off the seam was still too good for many a batsman. As a batsman Gav was an entertainer; destructive off the front and back foot and often took to the spinners. Such was his ability Gav won both the first grade batting and bowling awards on multiple occasions at the height of his career and of course multiple Player of the Year awards.
In later seasons, Gav moved down the grades to help mentor the
younger players. He was part of the 3rd grade premiership winning team in 2009/10. He was also player of the final for his 6- wicket haul. Off the field, Gav was popular and infectious, central to team and club spirit who loved a beer and socialising.
2007/2008 - Meville Fernando
The Georges River inaugural recipient of the Life Member award. Originally, from Sri Lanka, Meville 'Mifty' Fernando was regarded as the best wicket keeper in Shires throughout his career. Starting with Bexley in 1988 and retiring in 2013 with Georges River, Mifty’s ability to keep back and up to the quicks as well as the spinners was something to behold. He truly was exceptional. Many a bowler ‘bought wickets’ with Mifty’s legside stumping’s and soft clean hands. Light on his feet, thin and fit, Mifty was able to take the half chances all day and never wavered late in the day.
Like most from his era, his stats were not properly recorded to truly reflect his total number of catches and stumping’s. Mifty’s fingers suffered, with barely a finger not being broken and bent, however they never let him down. Mifty was a solid left-handed batsman who accumulated his runs and could occupy the crease for long periods. He was often used to open the innings to see off the best opposition bowlers deflecting the ball behind square before looking to drive.
Throughout his career, Mifty was competitive in nature but also one of life’s true gentlemen and a pleasure to be around. He did his job week after week and was always in good spirits. Mifty dropped down the grades late in his career due to his love of
cricket, the club and in order to mentor younger players. Mifty is a worthy Life Member and a genuine club legend.