Joey Jack’s a class act
JACK O’DONOGHUE is the classic St Joseph’s cricketer. Beginning his relationship with the game in the Milo development program, he first played seniors with the club at the age of 15. Coming through the grades in the same age-groups as teammates such as Andrew Hodgson, Jono Casey and Troy Nolan, the dyed-in-the-wool Saint made his first XI debut at 17 in 2008. Just a week after a career-best performance of 8-53, the 28-year-old finger spinner spoke with GCA1 reporter WES CUSWORTH about the influences on his game, along with the team’s aspirations, at the club he considers a second home WES CUSWORTH: Having been defeated in a match in which you were personally so dominant, was there a sense of winning the battle but losing the war?
JACK O’DONOGHUE: It felt a little bit like that, but I thought we toiled hard. We obviously didn’t give ourselves much of a chance, only making 123. Geelong City bowled really well and then they batted well too. Cody Brogden did really well and they knocked off too many runs the first week. But in the end to come back and bowl them out for 225, on a normal day that wouldn’t be a terrible effort. There were some positive signs.
WC: You must be delighted with that return of 8-53, making it 16 wickets for the season after four games.
JO: Yeah, I’d only taken one other ‘five-for’ in first-grade cricket, which was a few years ago, so comfortably my best. I’m not sure I’ll ever take ‘eightfor’ again.
WC: You were coming off a spirited batting effort, having made 29 in a final-wicket stand of 38 with Matt Tarbett. Batting at number 11, your teammates often don’t have great expectations about what you can do.
JO: That would be fair enough of my teammates too, because I’ve never made a lot of runs. But Bushy (Matt Tarbett) and I just tried to stick around for a little bit and make it difficult for City. The wicket had got a little better and the ball wasn’t swinging so much. We just wanted to show some fight and take some momentum out of our innings. We wanted to wrestle back to a decent total and when we got to 123 it at least gave us something to bowl at. I want to contribute more with the bat and it’s something I’ll keep working at.
WC: I shouldn’t pre-empt the umpires’ Jack Sing Medal voting, but you might think you’d have taken the three votes in a losing side.
JO: I’d have to say Cody Brogden’s performance was up there as well. But if you’d told me I’d make 29 and take 8-53 in any one game I would have laughed at you. It was good to contribute for sure.
WC: Does that match give you the confidence to believe that you can make a really significant contribution at this level?
JO: Absolutely. I’ve had some really good seasons and some down seasons. The big thing for me is being a more experienced player I need to be more consistent. In the past we’ve had great players like Leigh Kentish, Trent Walerys and David Morgan and you could drift in and out with your performances. But now that some of those guys have moved on it’s my turn to be responsible.
WC: Who did you lean on for the development of your game as you came through the ranks at St Joeys?
JO: David ‘Darky’ Harris was a really big one for me, he gave great support to all the boys my age. ‘Humpa’ (Rick Humphrey) was the off-spinner when I started and he’s helped me out a lot and then guys like Jason Stein, who was captain of the twos when I was coming through. He was awesome for me.
WC: Last summer there was never any question of St Joseph’s’ batting strength, but some concern that the bowling was a bit thin. Have expectations changed for this summer given that your bowling has been bolstered?
JO: Absolutely. We think we have a good enough team to be in the top range, battling it out for a top-four spot. We have eight first X1 premiership players in the side, I think once we start putting both batting and bowling together on the same day we can compete against anyone. We showed that against East Belmont, getting done by a wicket. We’re disappointed with the start, but getting Bushy and Tony Caccaviello in to open the bowling is going to be a big help to us. Paddy De Grandi is coming along in leaps and bounds, so I think we’ll just keep improving.
WC: There’s big wraps on Tony Caccaviello, no doubt you’re expecting to see some good things from him.
JO: He bowls with good pace and he’s a taller guy as well, so I think once he gets it all together and gets used to the competition you’ll see him taking some wickets. I reckon he’s got that ‘X’ factor and could roll through some sides. He still travels down from Horsham to play, but he’s fitting into the club really well, he’s a lovely guy.
WC: You’ve got the Lions at Leopold tomorrow, no doubt they feel much like St Joseph’s in that they’re a better side than their initial results indicate.
JO: We’re one and three, so if we were to fall to one-four it would be difficult to stay in touch for the finals race. Leopold has recruited well and has some good players in its top order, so we will have to bowl well. Our best cricket can match it with anyone, so if we put it together hopefully we can get another win on the board.