 Dan Frogan is back
Just a couple of weeks ago, a Gordon official happened, per chance, to run into the elusive Dan Frogan out at the Gulargambone Rodeo in western NSW. After re-negotiating a deal with the Pulitzer winning journalist, Dan Frogan is back for 2007/08. The webmaster is quick to pass on his thanks to Dan for his planned re-involvement in the affairs of the GDCC. It is with regret however, that Dan's appearances will be limited as his regular overseas travels, to fulfil commitments as an International Sports Science Consultant in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics, means he is in great demand. Anyhow, enough from the webmaster, it is over to Frogan.
With 1st Grade at Chatswood, this famous stand may need to be hastily relocated
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A new season! A new President, new Secretary, new players, renewed enthusiasm – Frogan has not been so excited since he rolled in a 25 ft putt at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in 1983 to qualify for the Australian Open (which he led into the second day until cruelly struck down with tendonitis in his neck and which ultimately brought a premature end to a stellar golfing career).
Many new players in the various grades but some great new talent. Frogan remembers Jack Ritchie’s dad, Mike, as a dogged higher order batsman about 15 years ago whose fighting spirit contributed to two Gordon premierships. These qualities appear to have been passed from father to son and Frogan is sure that Jack will have a successful career at the Stags.
One of Frogan’s favourite players, Gareth Wright is back playing after a serious back injury. Gareth is a fantastic clubman who always puts in a big effort and it is hoped that he’ll have a great season.
The Fifth Grade team is particularly interesting. With the retirement of Tweety Gray, the average age of the team has dropped by 14 years. Frogan once captained a team where several players, including Hoppa Howitt, had to leave the games early so they could get home in time to watch The Muppets at 5.30pm before bedtime, but this side is probably just as young. However, they can all play good cricket!
Some interesting news about Gordon connections over in England. Matthew Nicholson, who has regularly acknowledged Frogan as the person who has had the greatest positive effect on his career, has had a great season with Surrey, being their leading wicket taker as well as scoring some useful runs. Surrey have maintained their position in the County Championship Division One – something that did not look possible early on, having lost all their games before Nicho arrived. Frogan remembers Nicho as a callow beanpole of an 18 year old playing for Gordon in the lower grades in between school commitments.
When he played his first game in the top grade (straight from 3rds – do not pass go, do not collect $200) he was immediately involved in a thrilling last wicket victory. With Gordon nine down and needing one or two runs to win, Nicho was given out stumped but it was clear (to everyone except the visually impaired umpire) that the wicketkeeper had dropped the ball. The wicketkeeper appeared to have no problems with claiming the wicket (probably worked on the ‘one hand, one bounce’ catching philosophy also) but with a great uproar off the field (Frogan in fact had to be restrained from jumping the fence and confronting the gloveman himself), the sheepish fellow conceded that he may not have gloved the ball correctly. So Nicho was recalled and promptly won the game for Gordon.
However (‘…ay, there’s the rub…’ Hamlet III, I) one of the great injustices in modern sport followed. A journalist from a Sydney radio station attending the game, saw what happened and told one of his station’s talkback hosts who, the next morning, began describing this wonderful act of generosity and sportsmanship by the keeper as something akin to John Landy in the 1956 Australian Championships 1500 metres stopping to help a fallen Ron Clarke before running on and winning the race!* The wicketkeeper was practically awarded the Nobel Peace Prize! Talkback radio – nothing’s changed. Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
 Another former Gordon player has excelled in England recently also. Danny Leech – a top bloke and pretty fair bat – scored 202 in the Final of the Minor Counties Championship last week to help Cheshire to a convincing win. Apparently Leechy, in accepting the Man of the Match Award, referred to Frogan several times as the person who instilled in him the toughness and determination to keep battling and not throw his innings away.
Fine art, wine and women - A dear friend of Frogan, Graham Mackie, is in his element
And, while on the topic of the Old Dart, the Club welcomes the son of one of England’s best to the ranks. Jim Gatting’s dad, Mike, was a fantastic bat and excellent captain of the English side in the days when they used to beat Australia. Frogan was actually walking his dog up at Killara Oval last Sunday (with his pooper-scooper and plastic bag!) while Jim was batting and was amazed by the similarity between father and son’s style. Gatting senior had a season or two with the club formerly known as Balmain back in the 70’s. He scored many runs as well as taking over 50 wickets with his sneaky meds and ran away with the Sydney Morning Herald Best and Fairest. Good luck, Jim.
Another Englishman, Sam Powell is also welcomed to the club. Sam, from Cambridgeshire, is currently teaching at Knox Prep, under the watchful eye of the Headmaster, Bob Thomas, one of Gordon’s finest (see transcript of Dick Guy’s speech at the Centenary Dinner). Frogan actually read Law at Cambridge University before coming back to Australia to practise in a prestigious Sydney law firm so he knows Sam’s neighbourhood well.
It’s all to look forward to. Some early wins will set the club up for a big year!
Dan Frogan
(* Ironically this was the scene of one of the Frogan family’s proudest sporting achievements. Dan’s father, Dick, won the 100 and 200 metres and was placed in the 400 metres. He would have participated in the Melbourne Olympics but it was harvest time on his property in Western NSW and his strong work ethic – he saw his athletics activities as very much a pastime – meant that the crops took priority and they had to be in for the family to survive. A cruel blow, as his times were world class!) | 
