This season the prestigious Player of the Year Award will again be sponsored by Hickman & Ritchard Financial Planning.One of our major sponsors Hickman and Ricthard have just launched a new website and are keen for you to visit them at: www.hrfp.com.au

This season the point score system has been changed and the points this year will be awarded as follows:

• Runs – 1 point per run
• Wickets – 20 points per wicket
• Catches – 15 points per catch
• Stumpings – 20 points per catch

This year there are no points awarded for team wins and no bonus points for runs and wickets. As per previous seasons PG’s and 1st grade T20’s (Sunday games) are not counted in order to make it a level playing field.

After the first 5 rounds this season the leader is Michael Perry (aka Chilly). Michael is a new player to the club this season and has performed well with both bat and ball so far. Michael has scored 159 runs, taken 10 wickets and 5 catches in 4th and 5th grade in a great start to his career at Gordon.

Michael Perry in action against Saints.

In second place is great clubman Adam Cubbage, who is always placed well in this award. Cubby has taken 10 wickets this season as well as scoring a valuable 71 to help setup his 4th grade team for a good win against Easts in Round 3.

In third place is 1st grade quick James Kennedy. James has had a brillant start to the season with 22 wickets at an average of 18.4 (T20 matches included in figures). JK was the recipient of the club’s October Player of the Month award and has recently been rewarded with selection in the NSW Future League team.

In 4th place is Blair Lindsay, who has had a great start to his season in 2nd grade with 343 runs at 57.2 including a magnificent 146* against Easts to steer his team to victory.

Adam Cubbage, James Kennedy and Blair Lindsay

In 5th place is 3rd grade captain, club coach and last year’s winner Ed Howitt. Hoppa has started where he left off last season, with 16 wickets at 12.2 and his career record 500th wicket for the club in Round 3.

Other players in the top 10 are James Kidd, Matt Todd, Harry Evans, Shayne Lin & Kurt Roughley all with great early season performances.

A listing of all players points are included below, with the adjustment column representing the T20 matches being taken out of the point scores. 
 

Ed Howitt sneaks home by seven points from Will Sweeney

(A smiling winner, Ed Howitt)

For those players and supporters new to the club, The GDCC Player of the Year Award is one of the club's most prestigious awards. It is presented each season to the winning player based on points received during the season. Points are awarded for runs scored, wickets taken, catches and team wins. Bonus points are also awarded for batting and bowling performances.

Points are allocated as follows:

• 1 point for every run scored. An additional bonus of 50 points for every half-century and 100 points for each century and 150 points for a score of 150 plus.
• 15 points per wicket plus a bonus of 50 points for 3/4 wickets in an innings, 100 points for a 5/6 wickets in an innings and 150 points for 7 or more wickets in an innings
• 10 points per catch
• 10 points for a run-out
• 25 points for every player in a winning side
• 10 points for a stumping

Over the year's we have had some great winners including club legends Marshall Rosen, Alan Poole, Matt Kelly, Phil Emery, Ed Howitt, James Packman & Matt Nicholson. Last year's winner was Nick Dowsley who won by a handful of points from Harry Evans.

(Second placed Will Sweeney)

This year's award was donated by Hickman & Ritchard Financial Planning as part of their sponsorship package and the club thanks them sincerely for their assistance. Geoff Hickman has kept the tally of points going all season and the mobile was running hot on the final day.

The top ten in the award are as follows:

Congratulations Ed on a great second half to the season, where his run making and wicket taking were an inspiration to his young team and hopefully they will gain from the experience of seeing how you protect your wicket and bowl with a plan. 

The webmaster

GDCC Player of the year award update

Results to the end of Round 5

For those players and supporters new to the club, The GDCC Player of the Year Award is one of the club’s most prestigious awards. It is presented each season to the winning player based on points received during the season. Points are awarded for runs scored, wickets taken, catches and team wins. Bonus points are also awarded for batting and bowling performances. Full details of the point system can be found on the club’s website.

Over the year’s we have had some great winners including club legends Marshall Rosen, Alan Poole, Matt Kelly, Phil Emery, Ed Howitt, James Packman & Matt Nicholson. Last year’s winner was Nick Dowsley who won by a handful of points from Harry Evans.

(Leader Blair Lindsay)

This year’s award will be donated by Hickman & Ritchard Financial Planning as part of their sponsorship package.

At the end of the 1st five rounds (Mosman) the leader is Blair Lindsay. Blair has started the season brilliantly with 2 centuries, 121 against Hawkesbury and 122 against Bankstown, and a total of 281 runs. He was deservedly promoted to 1st grade in Round 5 against Mosman.

In second place is our new 18 year old 1st grade all-rounder Daniel Smith. Dan has made a great debut to grade cricket and has looked at home at 1st grade level. In his debut game for the club Dan took 3 wickets and top scored with 69 against Hawkesbury. Dan also took 3-33 against Bankstown in Round 4.

In equal 3rd place is Justin Avendano and his 2nd grade captain Ben Garratt. Justin has started the season in exceptional form with the bat, culminating with a century against Mosman. Justin has scored 256 runs at 64.0 in the 1st five rounds in 2nd grade. Ben is now becoming known as a true all-rounder scoring runs including 81 in Round 1 and 2 three wickets hauls including 3-58 in 1st grade’s great victory against Bankstown.

(2nd and equal third, Dan Smith, Justin Avendano and Ben Garratt)

In 5th place is Deva Nirthanakumaran who has taken 12 wickets in the first 5 rounds including 5-44 against Hawkesbury in Round 1. Deva has been rewarded by promotion to 4th grade in the current Round 6 game against Uni of NSW.

Other players rounding out the Top 10 are Tom Cockburn (6th), Damon Livermore (7th), Adam Fleming (8th), Kris Colley (9th) and Harry Turner (10th). All these players have started the season in great from with some match winning performances.

Full details of all player points can be found below. A further update will be provided over the Christmas break.

Geoff Hickman

Gordon Player of the Year 2009/10

Congratulations Nick Dowsley

The 2009/10 Player of the Year is Nick Dowsley. In a very close race Nick scored 1,555 points and beat the runner-up Harry Evans (1,541 points) by a mere 14 points. The scores were checked, re-checked, audited and verified as correct.

(Nick Dowsley in action at Killara)

Nick, due to work commitments dropped down to play 3rd grade this year and showed his class as a player and clubman in accumulating 605 runs at 46.5, 14 wickets and 8 catches. In the last match of the season he took a handy 3 wickets against Sydney Uni which ultimately secured him the victory. On that same day Harry Evans was playing on the ground next door and helped secure victory for 1st grade with a fine 93, as Nick watched on supporting. If Harry had scored the extra seven runs for his century he would have pipped Nick at the post.

Earlier in the season, Nick was unavailable to play on Saturday and with 5th grade playing on Sunday, he helped out the club and played 5ths as we were short that match. He scored a well compiled 90 odd no when we won the game. A check of the score book by Dave Millar a week later, determined Nick had not been credited some runs and his scored jumped to 102 no and a very handy 50 bonus points. Well done Nick on a great win, you have been a great clubman and contributor to our club.

Harry Evans also had a brilliant season, he scored 721 runs in grade matches at an average of 45.1 and also took 19 catches and 1 stumping in grade matches. He showed his class in the last match of the season and we look forward to an exciting season for Harry in the top grade next season.

(Harry during his 93 against Sydney Uni in first grade)

In 3rd place was Tjaard Tait, the 4th grade all-rounder who had a consistent season. He showed in a couple of games in 3rds that he has the ability to play higher grades. Tjaard scored 436 runs at 36.3 and also took 18 wickets at 22.1.

In 4th place was Justin Avendano. Justin as a 16 year old had a great season. Promoted from 5th grade last season he showed enough to let all know he will be a very good player in the future. In a combination of 2nds & 3rds he scored 418 runs, took 20 wickets and 7 catches.

Rounding our the top 5 was another 4th grader in Tim Fulton, who also had a great season with the ball. Tim took 31 wickets at 20.8, including 2 six wicket and 1 five wicket haul in an innings. Tim is a genuine swing bowler who troubled most batsmen with the new ball.

(Tjaard Tait, Justin Avendano and Tim Fulton in action during the season)

Interestingly 6th to 10th spot were filled with some of our most experienced players in Damon Livermore (6th), Iqbal Ahmed (8th), Tim Packman (9th) and Ed Howitt (10th). It goes to show experience counts for a lot and these great clubman keep producing the results for our club and hopefully also help out the younger players along the way. The other player in the top 10 was our English import, Josh Poysden who also had a great season, starting in 5th grade and moving through the grades to 2nd grade by the end of the season.

The full results for 2009/10 are as follows:

Geoff Hickman

GDCC PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2007/08

Brendan McDonald wins Chatswood classic Cars "Player of the year" award

The final point scores have been calculated for the prestigious Player of the Year Award sponsored by our long term sponsors Chatswood Classic Cars.

This years award was one of the closest ever and so close that an extensive exercise was conducted ensuring all points were correctly allocated, missing run outs verified and the numbers audited so that we could be sure we got the correct winner.

(Brendan in action at Chatswood)

The end result was a three point margin between the winner and runner-up. The top 10 places have been listed below. Please remember our Player of the Year award includes all Grade games from Round 1 to 15 and excludes Sunday 1^st grade one-dayers, PG’s and semi-finals to try and ensure it is an even contest across the grades.

Top 10 Places – 2007/08

10th – Beau Casson (973 points) – Beau was leading at one stage during the season but representative commitments took the opportunity of winning away from him. Beau had a great season for Gordon and NSW culminating in a Pura Cup victory and selection in the Australian squad to tour West Indies. For Gordon he scored 484 runs at 26.9 and 29 wickets at 29.7 including his first Gordon century against a strong Fairfield side in Round 2.

9th - Adam Cubbage (975) – Cubby is a great Gordon team man and was an integral part of 4th grade push to the semi’s. He filled in for one Colts game to help us out and scored a century. Unfortunately his points from this game were not counted as this would have pushed him further up the list. Adam scored 439 runs at 39.9 and took 18 wickets at 28.9.

8th - Shenal Siriwardhane (976) – Shenal had his best season for Gordon and another important member of the 4th grade side. His bowling was particularly effective and he took 23 wickets at 22.1 as well as compiling a handy 190 runs at 23.8.
7th - Elliot Richtor (983) – Elliot had his first full season in 2nd grade and continues to impress as he climbs through the grades. In 2nd grade he scored 473 runs at 33.8 and chipped in with 4 wickets and 5 catches.
6th Ben Garratt (1022) – Ben had a great season in 2nd grade scoring 2 centuries and deservedly being promoted to 1st grade for part of the season. He finished the season with 575 runs at 41.1.
5th James Campbell – (1040) – James in his 1st full season of grade had a great season being one of the club’s leading wicket takers. He played 4ths at the end of the season and took 4 for 28 off 19 overs in the semi-final. James finished with 39 wickets at 13.1.
4th Ed Howitt – (1142) – Ed is consistently in the top places in this award. It is a credit to his contribution to the club both on and off the field. As 3rd grade captain Ed took 28 wickets at 15.9 as well as 192 runs at 24.
3rd Iqbal Ahmed (1199) – Iky had a great season as 4th grade captain guiding his side into the semis. His contribution on the field was strong with 31 wickets at 20.8. This included 3 five for’s in an innings.
2nd Craig Simmons (1330) – Craig was last year’s winner and nearly recorded a double finishing only 3 points behind the winner. Craig had another great season breaking the 1st grade batting aggregate record that he created last season. He finished the season with 958 runs at 43.5 and chipped in with 17 wickets and 14 catches.
1st Brendan McDonald (1333) – Brendan is this year’s Player of the Year award following an excellent all-round season in 1st grade. His bowling was exceptional and although he started as the number 2 spinner in the side behind Beau he consistently stepped up when Beau was not available. He also batted well and is an excellent fieldsman. Brendan finished with 43 wickets at 24.3 and was the leading wicket taker in the club. He also scored a handy 330 runs at 19.4 and took 19 catches and 3 run outs to deservedly be the 2007/08 Player of the Year. Congratulations Brendan on behalf of all members of the club.

The final points score for every player is as follows:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2008/09

First update for the new season

This is the most prestigious award in the Club. Points are awarded for a variety of achievements and aggregated to determine the ultimate winner.

(Cam Eccles against Sydney University)

This award is confined to all preliminary Grade matches. The winner will receive a perpetual trophy and a prize to be determined by the Committee. Sunday 1^st grade one dayers, 20/20 and Poidevin Gray games are not counted to try and produce a level playing field for all players within the club.

Points are allocated as follows:

• 1 point for every run scored. An additional bonus of 50 points for every half-century and 100 points for each century and 150 points for a score of 150 plus.
• 15 points per wicket plus a bonus of 50 points for 3/4 wickets in an innings, 100 points for a 5/6 wickets in an innings and 150 points for 7 or more wickets in an innings
• 10 points per catch
• 10 points for a run-out
• 25 points for every player in a winning side
• 10 points for a stumping

UPDATE No. 1 – Round 5

This year’s Player of the Year is off to a frenetic start with the current leader at the end of Round 5, already on 908 points. Last year’s winner Brendan McDonald scored a total of 1,333 points for the whole season.

There’s no prize for guessing that Cameron Eccles is the leader with 908 points. Cameron approached the selectors on the Sunday before the first game and advised them that he wished to open the batting this year as he didn’t like sitting around. Well clearly going in first works for Cameron with 3 centuries, one in each of 3^rd, 2^nd & 1^st grade and another 50 to top it off. These innings have not only scored him plenty of POY points but plenty of bonus points as well. It shows the value of scoring centuries, selectors like them. Cameron has scored 437 runs at an average of 54.6 in 5 rounds in a brilliant performance. The question for the rest of the year is, can anyone catch him.

(The classic James Packman shot)

In second place is James Packman who has 2 centuries of his own and has scored 396 runs at an average of 66. James has started where he left off last season in the grand final against St George and is leading the 1^st grade batting line-up which sees them as competition leaders at the present time. In third place is Brendan McDonald on 665 points. Brendan has been again in great form after winning the award last season. He capped off a great first 5 rounds with 6 wickets against Sydney Uni and selection in the NSW 2XI.

In fourth place is 1^st grade captain Matt Nicholson who is not only leading the team superbly but contributing big time with both bat and ball. How fortunate we are to have a player of Matt’s ability and experience to lead our 1^st grade team. In fifth spot, is James Campbell, who has continued a strong 1^st year of grade last year with more strong performances in 2^nd and 3^rd grade. James has taken 17 wickets in the first 5 rounds at an average of 13.7. This includes four 3 wicket innings and hence lots of bonus points.

(Nicho in action at Chatswood)

The other players in the top 10 are Harry Evans, with a century in Round 5, newcomer Damien Way with consistent batting through the grades, the mercurial Adam Cubbage with a 5 wicket haul in Round 4, youngster Justin Avendano with a 6 wicket haul in Round 2 and Matt Jones who has produced consistent all-round performances.

The message with these players is that if you want to force your way into the top 10 you need centuries and 5 wicket hauls. Let’s see lots of these as we push towards the club’s ambition of a Club Championship.

The full point score is as below and a further update will be provided at Christmas.

In the first Player of the Year Update earlier this season the question was asked, can anyone catch Cameron Eccles. Well the answer is yes, and after 10 rounds Matt Nicholson is our new leader of the club's prestigious Player of the Year award. Nicho was in 4th spot after Round 5, but consistent individual performances leading his 1st grade side from the front has seen him take the lead. Nicho, has never really been in contention for this award in previous seasons due to his representative commitments, however a full season with the Stags could see him win this award for the first time.

(Matt Nicholson in action against Northern Districts)

With just over 300 points between the first ten players, the award is still very much wide open. New additions to the Top 10 for this update are Ed Howitt, who has not only captained his 3rd grade side into semi-final contention but clearly has led from the front with consistent wicket hauls. In a year of the captains leading from the front, Ben Garratt has also entered the top 10, courtesy of two centuries and two fifties in the first 10 rounds. Another experienced player in Brett Rosen has also entered the Top 10 and must be a big chance of winning after consistent batting and keeping performances in 3rd grade.

The full point score at the end of Round 10 (North Sydney) is as follows. There will be no further updates now until the completion of the preliminary rounds, so good luck to all players in contention and hopefully these individual performances will assist our sides push towards semi-finals over the next 5 rounds.

GDCC PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD UPDATE

Results to the end of Round 12

With only 3 rounds to play before semi-finals the player of the year award is wide open and what is interesting is that for the first time in many years the bowlers are in with a big chance to take out this coveted award. It is often debatable on whether the winner is a bowler, batsmen or all-rounder, especially when players of the calibre of Matt Nicholson and Ed Zelma win, but it is definitely true that over the years more batting all-rounders have won the award than bowling all-rounders.

(The leading Dan Smith in action against Penrith)

Without knocking any of our top 10, it is also true that some of the “bowlers” in contention this year could not count themselves as true “all-rounders”. I will leave it to you, our readers, on who fits in which category. So with 3 rounds to go our Top 5 are as follows:

1. Dan Smith – what a great debut season Dan is having with Gordon. He was selected straight into 1st grade and has more than justified the faith the club placed in him. What a mighty achievement it would be for him to win the “Player of the Year” award in his inaugural grade season.
2. Justin Avendano – Justin has maintained his high position all season with consistent “all-round” performances in 2nd grade. Justin has immense talent and maybe a century in one of the last 3 rounds may be enough to secure victory for this year.
3. James Kennedy – another one of the “bowling triplets” from 1st grade, JK has had a great season consistently performing to a high level, culminating in his selection in the “NSW Future League” side for this week’s match.
4. Will Sweeney – another “bowling all-rounder”, Will was about to retire part way through the season and a last minute plea by his captain changed his mind and he has not looked back. Well done Will and keep the good work going.
5. Adair Durie – I’m sure Adair would not mind me saying he is a true “bowler”. He has had a great season and bowled beautifully all year and is a big reason why his 2nd grade side is coming 2nd in the comp.

So there you are 4 pace bowlers in the top 5, can the batsmen rally to push past the “bowlers” in the next 3 rounds. There is also a very interesting player in the top 10, who after Saturday’s performance will be pushing for top spot in his last season with the club.

Other players rounding out the Top 10 are Blair Lindsay (6th), Ben Garratt (7th), Reece Bombas (8th) courtesy of his Round 12 century against Penrith, Dylan Connell (9th) and Cameron Eccles (10th) courtesy of his Round 11 century against Northern Districts. All these players have been in good form this season and have put in some great performances for the season to date.

(Second placed Justin Avendano hits out)

Full details of all player points can be found below. This is the final update for this year, with the final results to be announced at the completion of the season.

Geoff Hickman

PS. In the battle of the Colley’s young brother Jack (844) has both big brothers, Steve (610) and Kris (765) in trouble with 3 rounds to play.

(James Kennedy, Will Sweeney and Adair Durie complete the top five spots)

Player of the Year Update (prior to last Saturday i.e.The dazzler)

The following report is at the conclusion of 6 rounds and therefore doesn't include last Saturday and the heroics of the Dazzler (and others) 

(Craig Simmons in action)

Craig Simmons is the new leader of the Player of the Year after 6 rounds. Craig, courtesy of a fine century in Round 5 and some solid performances with the ball has rocketed to a big lead of over 200 points.

James Hosking with his stellar early season form in 3rd Grade with a century and three 50's is in second spot. Brad Rasool courtesy of a brillant 200* against Hawkesbury in Round 4 moves to 3rd place and with another double century yet to be included it may well be a case of catch him if you can.

Sam Hinton with another century against Hawkesbury and a great 62 in 1st grade against Wests is in 4th spot, with the consistent Neil Longhurst rounding out the top 5. The big movers over the last 3 rounds have been as follows:

• Brad Rasool (26th to 3rd)
• Mike Weaver (41st to 7th) - courtesy of a century and 92 in Colts.
• Matt Michael (64th to 9th) - courtesy of a century and some solid bowling performances in 2nds.
• Umayr Amir (34th to 11th) - courtesy of a 6 wicket haul against Hawkesbury.
• Rob Evans (50th to 12th) - finding the form that he displayed regularly last year.
• Ed Howitt (44th to 13th) - after a great bowling performance against Fairfield in Round 5.
• Damon Livermore (37th to 14th) - with a century against Wests in Round 6.

Matt Kelly leads Player of the Year

Matt Kelly our intrepid 3rd grade captain leads the Player of the Year Award after 3 rounds.

Kell's has shown great early season form with 182 runs including 2 half centuries and two wins.

Other strong performers with good early season form have been our NSW pair of Craig Simmons and Beau Casson, who have earned their selection in the Blue's first games of the season.

Craig Knight with a great 2nd round century is in 3rd position and our Pommie import Neil Longhurst is in 5th position with some good allround performances in Rounds 2 & 3.

Sam Hinton, our other centurian (Rd 1 .v. St George), Michael Bourne, Reece Bombas, Elliot Richtor and yes wait for it the "main man" Plums round out the top 10. Wait till Plums hits some real form over the next couple of rounds.

There is a long way to go, so keep in touch for regular updates.

Points after Round 3