If Footscray ANA savoured its Victorian Turf Cricket west B1 premiership a little extra, it was because of the hardship the club has been through in recent times.
ANA has a rich history dating back to its foundation year, 1931.
Even the best of clubs goes through rough patches and ANA hit rock bottom when it finished last on the ladder without a win in 2013-14.
The turmoil was not only confined to the cricket pitch. ANA lost some long-serving members of its committee, which would have threatened the club’s survival had it not had willing volunteers to take over.
“I’ve been here since 1980 and I’ve seen a lot in that time,” ANA president John Wetzler told Star Weekly.
“We’ve gone through a bit of upheaval in the last five or six years, with a collective of 70 years’ service leaving the committee.”
ANA’s revival began last season when it missed the finals by a heartbreaking three points.
It backed up this season and was a clear second-favourite going into the finals.
When minor premier Deer Park was rolled in the semi-final, it paved the way for ANA to claim the premiership with a grand final victory over West Newport.
Not only did ANA win, it did so after scoring just 88 in the first innings.
The wickets kept falling when West Newport went to the crease and was skittled for 76 in what Wetzler described as “one of the best days of cricket I’ve ever seen”.
“The way our boys fought back was just what our culture of the club is all about,” he said.
The first innings result stood and ANA had gone from zero to hero in three seasons.
The man behind the club’s resurrection is playing coach and life member Daryl Veteha.
Veteha answered the call from Wetzler to coach the club three years ago and it’s been onwards and upwards ever since.
“He’s done it for almost eight months a year for the past three years and not a dollar has gone to him,” Wetzler said.
“He’s brought the side from no wins three years ago to winning the flag this season.” Wetzler was also thrilled that homegrown player Daniel Nightingale captained the premiership team.
“He was one of the boys from the under-17s who came through and although we thrust too much responsibility at him, he ate it up and keeps eating it up,” Wetzler said.
“Now, as a 23-year-old, he’s a seasoned campaigner who’s led and played beyond his years for a number of seasons.
“People like Daryl and Dan are just two examples and we’ve probably got another 10 examples of fantastic people at our club.”
The future is bright at ANA. The club is financially stable; it will soon be given the keys to a new pavilion; its top side will move up to west A1 next season with a young side built for sustained success; and the juniors will continue to grow through their Milo T20 Blast and In2Cricket programs.
And next summer the club is looking to field its first women’s team.
“There’s a lot happening here and we’re very proud of it,” Wetzler said.
