“It was surreal.”
There were no other words to describe Seddon’s incredible grand final win over Sunshine United in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north west division at Laverton Park on Sunday, according to Docker’s secretary Rolf Tamburro.
Tamburro must have felt like all his dreams had come true as he watched his beloved club win the season-decider by a mammoth 241 runs and book their place in the top-flight senior division next summer.
“At one stage we were 3-340, and you couldn’t in your wildest dreams think that would be our score,” Tamburro said.
From the first ball, Seddon was in control … the main man for the Dockers was opening batsman Ben Speake, who produced a performance of the ages, batting for two-and-a-bit days en route to 216, including 24 fours and one six.
On the first weekend, he batted a marathon 160 overs, and seemed set to stay forever.
Speake’s body would have been aching late on day two, but he pulled through to hold his bat over the course of the weekend.
“What he achieved was just phenomenal,” Tamburro said. “I remember him coming off the first day, he was about 109 not out, and he said: ‘It’s still not enough’.
“He was exhausted at the end of last week after two days, but it was more mental than physical, because he’s a fit lad and he did a bit of running on a big ground and a slowish outfield.
“The concentration it took to bat 160 overs was phenomenal.”
It was not totally a one-man band for Seddon.
While Speake’s double ton over-shadowed the knocks of teammates Duleeka Thisakuttige (63), John Taylor (56) and Liam Braithwaite (60), neither his own massive haul, nor the side’s total of 462, would have been possible without support from the other end.
“Ben’s 200 was obviously fantastic, but there was three other 50s,” Tamburro said. “It was a fantastic team effort. You’re not going to make a massive score without that support.”
Sunshine United wasn’t given a sniff in the game. Daniel Norris fought hard for the Tigers with 107 not out, but his side was bowled out for 221.
Seddon’s wily veteran spinner Tom Kriebardis came to the fore with 3-61 off 43 overs. Kriebardis continues to defy age to be the leading wicket-taker for the Dockers.
“Tommy’s in his 50s and has been in the ones since he was 17,” Tamburro said. “His bowling is just phenomenal … all year he’s been impossible to hit. He’s a smart bowler, of course, with his experience.
“The young blokes are rapt to play alongside Tommy.”
Spinner Hayden Dryiski chimed in with 2-91 off 33. Kriebardis (39 wickets) and Dryiski (33) have combined to take 72 wickets this summer.
Seddon is heading to the senior division in 2017-18.
The Dockers have some celebrating to do before turning their attention to the likes of future opponents Yarraville Club and Greenvale Kangaroos.
“We really haven’t thought about it yet,” Tamburro said. “You’ve got to enjoy this first because grand finals don’t happen often.
“We’re enjoying this moment.”
