WHAT HAPPENED?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
You have to ask that after Wodonga's demise.
Look, the Bulldogs were outstanding in the blinding preliminary final loss to Lavington, but since Christmas they won three games, tied one and lost seven, including the last four.
Jack Craig finished with 916 runs over the two formats (50-over and T20), but only 89 runs in the last four innings wrecked any chance of passing Robbie Jackson's single-season run-scoring record (1032).
FLYING HIGH
Wodonga landed the off-season's highest profile recruit in former ACT-NSW Country Comets' quick Cam Suidgeest.
He started slowly, taking only eight wickets to Christmas, but then exploded, snaring 24 at 14.45.
Suidgeest finished the season with 32 scalps (18.1) and 339 runs at 30.8.
He claimed 4-56 in the preliminary final, but if he could have one ball again, it would be his last of the season when Jarryd Weeding square cut a boundary.
After a wicket and five dots, it allowed breathing space.
TOO CLEVER
Any local cricketer, young or old, who wants to learn about batting under pressure should have watched North Albury's Greg Daniel on Sunday.
Daniel's unbeaten 75 proved the difference in the other cracking preliminary final against St Patrick's.
He was brilliant. His go-to shot was the dab into gully.
Then he'd tap it to cover and take off.
If Daniel is batting, the close fielders just have to sprint in every ball because he can sense a player on his heels and he never allows more than a few dot balls.
BELVOIR BOWLING
Belvoir's effort against North deserves recognition.
The visitors posted a super 8-232 against North and then had the home team in trouble at 5-110.
But Ash Borella's stunning 82 from 87 balls and Callum Langlands' 51 not out guided North to a three-wicket win.
In the regular season, the Eagles claimed the least amount of wickets (130) of the top six so they must find a strike bowler who can rip through an opposition.
Still, after six straight losses from round three, it was a superb fightback to return to finals.
QUIET ACHIEVER
It's been well documented Lavington boasts the best pace attack of the modern era, but off-spinner Michael Galvin plays his role cleverly.
Galvin has 24 wickets at 18.5, ahead of Nathan Brown (19) and Daryl Tuffey (nine).
The right-armer is extremely accurate and because he's tall, gains good bounce.
He also bowls well to his field and has developed enormously.
Lavington also regard him as one of the association's best slip fielders and it's hard to argue after his superb catch off Jack Craig.
RAIN DELAYS
How ironic after one of the driest cricket seasons in memory, two preliminary finals were affected by late rain with North losing 17 minutes and Lavington around 30.
"They (Wodonga) had the momentum when the rain came," Panthers' coach Sam O'Connor said.
"Matty Tom and Brad Dalbosco soaked up Wodonga's amazing pressure and then hit ones and twos and then started to break the field up by hitting over the top."
It's been confirmed a third grand final would be played at Wodonga's home, while the district's at Tallangatta.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here