FORD’S POWERFUL PURPOSE
ON first impressions, Leopold’s David Ford appears a regular, knockabout bloke.
But it doesn’t take long into a conversation to realise that there is far more to the likeable larrikin, who is the life of the party at Leopold Cricket Club functions, than meets the eye.
On the eve of his 150th game, and still recovering from last week’s unbeaten 104 against Grovedale, the 31-yearold talks tactics before taking the conversation to a whole new level as he opens up about the family tragedy that has given his life new purpose.
WES CUSWORTH: Congratulations on the milestone game. It must seem a far cry from when you first joined the club back in 2006-07.
DAVID FORD: Yeah, I was just 17 when I arrived at Leopold from Drysdale along with James Burton and Tim Marshall. I played in each of seconds and thirds in my first year at the club, but was fortunate to play in a third X1 premiership in that first season. I made an unbeaten 86 in the semifinal to get us into the grand final, but the grand final was washed out so we won it by finishing higher on the ladder. We had a pretty strong side including Guy Ridgeway, Matt Sinkinson, Alan Boyd and Liam Beggs. I couldn’t celebrate too hard then because I was underage.
WC: So it took a bit of time to establish yourself as a first XI player?
DF: It wasn’t until 2007-08 that I initially played firsts and then finally established myself in about 2013-14. Up until then I was playing from firsts to thirds. I had a pretty good 2014-15 and then won the batting average in 2016-17 with an average of 49. I made my first hundred in the first XI that season.
WC: So what number century was Saturday’s unbeaten 104 against Grovedale?
DF: That was my second in the firsts, but I’ve made four in the seconds and a few in the juniors back at Drysdale.
WC: Last week’s target of 257 against Grovedale was challenging without being too imposing. In hindsight, does the fact that you did it so comfortably, with 20 overs to spare, surprise you?
DF: We went into Saturday with some targets devised by Corey Ogle. It was the same formula that we used in chasing down South Barwon’s 400 last season. We’d picked an extra batter, so we were really confident going in. Good teams win like that, but we know that sometimes in the past we’ve only got there eight or nine wickets down. It was pleasing to get there with the top order. Corey has brought a great cricket brain from a higher level. He was a talented junior with the Victorian and Australian squads and sets very good fields. Corey is very relaxed which gives the guys a lot of confidence. He backs every guy’s game in and he’s created a great culture at Leopold this year.
WC: It can’t be easy with two small children at home and your role as the general manager of a building company that involves a lot of travel around Australia.
DF: I’m fortunate to have a very supportive wife. I just love playing cricket, it’s been my life since I first held a bat as a twoyear-old. Interestingly I was actually the oldest in the team on Saturday and I felt a bit of responsibility with Tim Marshall being out. I came to the ground wanting to make a hundred and I did. Losing Pat Richards from last season, and not really finding a replacement, we’ve recognised that our improvement has to come from internally. I’ve made it my goal to step up in the middle-order. Coming in at 3-54, Corey and I knew that we had to put control back in our favour.
WC: I’m aware that the tragic death of your sister Melanie in June of last year turned your world upside down and has served to dramatically transform your priorities, giving you a new mission.
DF: Yes, it’s something I’m really passionate about. I was approached by ‘ Her Heart’, Australia’s only not-for-profit focused on the prevention of women’s heart disease, to tell the story about my sister. Melanie died of heart disease at just 32. For her, the signs of heart disease were passed off as anxiety and working too hard. Looking back now, it could have been preventable. So I’ve taken part in a video to tell my family’s story, which was a really hard thing to do. Mel’s family and friends don’t want this to happen to anyone else. So knowing the signs of heart health and sharing that message has become a passion of mine now. I’m looking forward to growing that as part of my repertoire to help others.
WC: So cricket, and the Leopold Cricket Club specifically, has been both an escape and a source of comfort?
DF: The Leopold Cricket Club has really helped myself and Melanie’s husband James (Burton). Mel was a big part of the club. She was always down there having a drink and supporting us. A lot of people from the cricket club were at the funeral showing support to the family. In time we’re looking at having an annual memorial match to raise awareness of ‘Her Heart’. Some other GCA clubs have also shown support through various initiatives. I’m really pleased to know women who have already gone and had their hearts checked out as a response to the message that I’ve been able to share. The message is getting it out there and it is working. I’m teaming up with a lady who has a special passion for lung and heart health, a lady who was given 13 years to live, but has survived for 26. So I’ll be doing some work with her, I’m really committed to saving others from going through what we have experienced.