After visiting the club at training on Thursday with the Eagles desperate for something to celebrate, Nat Sariman produced one of the best innings his skipper has seen on his way to an unbeaten 180.

Drew Cameron also chimed in with 101 as Ryan McNeil’s team amassed 5-356 against East Albury, but it was Sariman’s knock that will forever be etched into Belvoir’s history books.

“It was pretty special,” McNeil said.

“It was probably the best knock I’ve ever seen along with Brian Johnson’s 207 about 15 years ago, all the boys enjoyed watching it.

“To see a young kid like Nat make 180 no was pretty special.

“He was pretty tired and he was meant to leave just after tea for a work Christmas party but he stayed in the whole day — he had a big smile on his face, which is what you want to see.

“I’m going to be predicting that Santa’s coming every year from now on.”

McNeil said Sariman rode his luck with three or four chances.

“But when it’s your day it’s your day,” he said.

“And I’m pretty happy as captain that we’ve shown we have the ability to match it with some of the bigger sides in the competition.”

But the Eagles still have to get the job done this week against a powerful Crows line-up.

“They’re a good side,” McNeil said.

“And there are going to be times when they’re on top and we have to fight through that, we have to respect their players and what they can do.

“But hopefully they won’t quite get to the mark.

“We have to be consistent with our bowling, line and length, and take our opportunities when we need to and should walk away with a win.”