Tigers score early coup
WHEN it comes to finding a spot in Grovedale’s star-studded batting order, boom recruit Jordan Moran isn’t prepared to rock the boat.
But after belting a double hundred in his last outing — a matchwinning knock in a grand final for Dubbo, Moran won’t find too many objections in his push to face the new ball.
“We haven’t really spoken about what my role will be in the side yet,” said Moran, who pulled on the yellow and black for the first time this week. “Ideally, I’d like to bat in the top three, but at a new club, I’ll slot in wherever I can.
“I’m probably fortunate that I’m coming off a 200 not out in the grand final back home opening the batting, so I might get a start there. You never know.”
Moran brings a fine cricket pedigree to the Tigers, having represented New South Wales’ country team on three occasions.
He has made a ton for his state and was named in the Australian country squad.
The left-hander has also bashed a truckload of runs for his home club Dubbo, making 634 runs at 90.57 in just 11 matches last season.
That included a swashbuckling 214 against South Dubbo in the decider.
Moran moved to the region three weeks ago, accepting a role as a teacher at Wyndham Vale Primary School, and eyed a move to the GCA.
“I’ve got family down this way and I didn’t have anything on one Saturday,” Moran said this week.
“So I came down and watched the Premier cricket, Geelong versus St Kilda.
“It got to about lunch and there wasn’t much happening, so I jumped online to see who else was playing locally and they (Grovedale) were playing Murgheboluc.
“I didn’t know either side, so I walked down to have a look. When I decided to make the move down I did a bit of research on some of the good clubs — not so much the successful clubs — but clubs that were there for families and Grovedale seemed to be a good fit.”
Multiple Tigers’ premiership captain Barry Tsitas was Moran’s first port of call, with the pair sitting down over cof- fee to discuss the prospects of a move to Burdoo Reserve.
And it was a good first impression for Moran.
“Grovedale is very similar to my club back home,” Moran said.
“It’s a club that is going through a phase where they always have progression with young players coming through the ranks so they can be successful for a long period.
“That’s something I’ve been quite passionate about, getting the juniors into senior cricket and to be successful, and talking to Barry, that’s something that Grovedale does quite well.”
Moran considered a move to the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association, but ultimately felt he would be more at home in the GCA.
“I’ve played the last three years with New South Wales country, and I’ve made the Australian country side, and that’s where my passion is at the moment,” he said.
“I want to play the best country cricket that I possibly can. I played a little bit in Sydney, but at 31, I don’t think there’s anything I can achieve by playing grade cricket in Melbourne.
“I love going away to the country carnival every year and I’ve set my sights on making the Vic Country side and play against New South Wales.”
A gifted strokemaker, Moran can also wicketkeep in a major boost to Grovedale’s hopes of returning to success.
“I had a fairly bad thumb injury last season and had surgery on that before Christmas,” he said.
“I haven’t kept since. I basically played through pain at the back end of the season and I haven’t picked the gloves up again.
“If needed, they’re still there, but I can just concentrate on batting.”