DOM GIBALDI TAKES OUT OUR

LINDSAY JONES AWARD

Congratulations to Domenic Gibaldi on being announced the prestigious Lindsay Jones Best Clubperson award at our Presentation Night on April 13.
Dom showed his passion and enthusiasm for our great club both in his acceptance speech and earlier in the night, when he presented awards to his beloved premiership-winning Second Eleven.
At right - Dom Gibaldi with his plaque.
As President Charlie Walker said in announcing Dom as the Lindsay Jones Best Clubperson, he was prepared to take on the jobs that no-one else was willing to handle, and turn them into successes.
Geoff McKeown was presented with Life Membership at the function, at the Moonee Ponds Club. His Life Membership was presented by Jim Polonidis and Mark Gauci, and is the culmination of a career that began in 1998.
Our 2023/24 Club Champion is Ruwan Jayaweera, who took an incredible 42 wickets in the First Eleven.
First Eleven captain and Committee member Jack Newman also presented the Sean O'Kane Ward, for players in all Elevens other than the Firsts. It was won by Fourths captain Prem Janarthanan, who compiled 1205 points - the highest winning total this century, and perhaps of all time.
*For more details of the winners and photos of the night, click HERE.

Seconds take out the 2024 flag

Moonee Valley's Seconds won the 2023/24 flag after prevailing in a nail-biter over Melton South on March 16/17.
The result was in the balance up to the end, before a superb bowling spell by man of the match Jim Polonidis snuffed out Melton South's hopes 11 runs short of our modest total.

Jim took 5/31 and also scored a direct hit runout from side-on.
Above: Our victorious Seconds. L-R: Back - scorer Brendan Rhodes, Mitchell Higgs, Paul Sevenson, Mark Gauci, Jason Walsh, Luka Anderson, Jordy Walsh, Tom Morrissy. Front - Henry Thomas, Dom Gibaldi, Jim Polonidis, Geoff McKeown, Zac Nilsson and Oscar McKeown.
A reverse outright in Game 11 helped us sneak into the finals in fourth spot, then we knocked off the top team Gellibrand in the Semi.
We were under the pump in the Grand Final when Tom Morrissy, fresh from his 6/26 heroics in the Semi, went down while batting and suffered a dislocated shoulder, and we finished the innings nine down for 110 while he was in hospital.
And we didn't have Tommy's bowling - but not to matter. On a deteriorating pitch, Jimmy Pol bowled us to victory, backed up by wickets from Mitchell Higgs and Zac Nilsson (2 each).
The victory had great merit, with six of the team being aged 18 and under. The other five were in the veterans class, including 400-gamer Mark Gauci, Jim Polonidis' 350 games of experience and Geoff McKeown bringing up his 200th game in the decider.
With the young players now experiencing Grand Final pressure, and two other teens playing in the Firsts Grand Final, we're in good hands for the future.
*****For more pictures and vision of the Seconds Premiership, click HERE
*****For words and more pictures on Grand Final day - and night - at Ormond Park, click HERE .


Geoff brings up his 200-game milestone in the big match

Geoff McKeown's 200th game was a reward for persistence, and he had the honor of bringing up his milestone in a game that really mattered - a Grand Final, and alongside great mates Mark Gauci and Jim Polonidis.
And for good measure, Geoff's son Oscar took to the field with him when Tom Morrissy dislocated his shoulder during the match and couldn't field.
It was a double celebration for Geoff, as the Seconds won the flag over Melton South in a nail-biter.
Geoff can now call himself a four-time Premiership player.
It's been a long journey for Geoff, a mainstay as keeper for the Firsts before he moved to the south-east suburbs.
At right: A pensive Geoff McKeown waits to go in to bat in his 200th game.
Since then his games have been intermittent due to the distance and family commitments, but Geoff has played the majority of this season and also had the opportunity to pull on the Valley whites alongside his oldest son Oscar - debuting late last season.
Geoff made his Valley debut in 1998/99, so it's been a long haul to get to 200.
He was keeper in our Team of the Decade 2000-09, and was named as wicketkeeper in the North A Division VTCA Team of the Year in our Premiership year of 2009/10 - voted in by the captains of all teams.
Congratulations Geoff on a career well played and still nowhere near over - with more premierships on the way?

Announcement: Moonee Valley Senior Coach appointment 2024/25

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Brayden McGregor as Moonee Valley's senior coach for the 2024/25 season.
Brayden joined Moonee Valley as a player half way through the 2022/23 season, and has become 

an integral part of our First Eleven. 
He has played First Eleven cricket for Premier club Carlton, and has been keen to expand his role at Moonee Valley.
His appointment was announced to the players at Ormond Park on March 7 by club Vice-President and 2023/24 coach Mark Gauci.
Gauch was not seeking reappointment as coach, and was actively involved in interviewing Brayden and recommending his appointment to the club executive.
Brayden has been running skills sessions at training throughout the season and has already made an impact on skills development, particularly with the players in the First and Second Elevens.
Above: The appointment of Brayden McGregor (left) as our 2024/25 coach was announced at training by Mark Gauci.

Buy club clothing, pay your membership, buy tickets to club functions - do it all at www.mooneevalleycricketstore.com.au

Junior Registration - link here - https://play.cricket.com.au/club/moonee-valley-cricket-club/147223ea-86d8-eb11-a7ad-2818780da0cc

     Main Club contact details:

* Charlie Walker - President 0411 705 381; 9370 1802
* Allan Cumming - Treasurer 0438 380 990
* Brendan "Jonty" Rhodes - Secretary 0419 491 174
* Mark Gauci - Vice President 0457 778 335 
* Paul Sevenson - Junior Co-ordinator - 0407 556 950   

Emails: mooneevalleycricket@gmail.com
        charlie.walker@optusnet.com.au 

For more contacts, see " Office bearers & Officials " under "Club News & Info" at the top of the page

Last updated : April 15, 2024.
For more of our history, including our Premierships, click HERE