Seabrook’s Daniel Kilfoy realised the last couple of weeks it was time to hang up the cricket ball and bat.
The club’s former captain-coach has had three stints at the club and is still playing in the club’s first XI at 48.
On Saturday, he finished up his career against Pascoe Vale Central in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Clark Shield.
“It’s been 38 years all up,” he said of his cricket career.
“Once you drop a few catches you know it’s time.
“The body’s not up to playing in the ones and it’s become a bit too much. I’m hanging them up for sure.”
Kilfoy said Seabrook was home to him.
He first played at the club in 2007 and was there for five years before moving away.
Kilfoy returned to the club in 2011 and was captain-coach before playing elsewhere again for a few seasons.
He said he was always going to return to the club to finish his career.
“I came back to fill in for one year and that was four years ago,” he said. “I wanted to help the club out as it was struggling.
“I ended up captaining the last three years and we stepped back up into division 4 and made a grand final.
“I handballed the captaincy over to Zach [Wilson] and played one more year.”
Kilfoy said one of the biggest things the past few seasons was establishing a really good culture.
He said that group had made it more special as they took the club back to where it belongs.
Kilfoy said returning to play at Seabrook to finish his career was the highlight of his career.
“I always considered it home,” he said. “I stepped up to help to get them to where they are now.
“The last three years I’ve been in team of the year and won three bowling averages and a club champion award.
“The last part of my career is the big thing for me.”
Kilfoy said before the match he didn’t know what the club had in store for him at his last match, but it would be special either way.
The leg spinner said he was hoping for a few more wickets in his last game.
While Kilfoy’s playing career might be over, there’s no getting rid of him from Seabrook.
“I’ll be around the club and I’ll join the community and help out in other ways,
“I’ll help to try and get the side back up again after a down year.”
Seabrook finished its season on Saturday with a loss to Pascoe Vale Central.
Pascoe Vale made 5-226 from its overs, with all single wicket takers, including Kilfoy for Seabrook.
Seabrook was bowled out for 74 in reply. Siddh Dang top scored with 22 not out, the only player to reach double figures.
Seabrook finished the season in eighth spot with four wins for the season.
