MORAN GCA’S TOP MAN
Grovedale G batsman Jordan Moran is “over the moon” after taking out Geelong cricket’s top gong.
CHAMPION Grovedale batsman Jordan Moran concedes he was in a state of disbelief after claiming Geelong cricket’s top gong.
Moran rubber-stamped his status as one of the greatest players in Geelong Cricket Association history, winning the coveted Jack Sing Medal last night.
Crunching 644 runs at an average of 92 in 10 matches, the star Tiger polled 14 votes to win the GCA1 best-and-fairest.
Lara brothers Danny Hughes (13 votes) and Andy Hughes (11 votes) were hot on Moran’s heels, while South Barwon all-rounder Kyle Bienefelt, North Geelong’s Alistair McCann and Murgheboluc’s Daanish Mehta also finished equal third alongside Andy Hughes with 11 votes.
In outright seventh with 10 votes was champion Grovedale all-rounder Gareth Yelland, who is a three-time winner of the Jack Sing Medal.
Moran has joined Yelland in the annals of history by becoming just the second Grovedale player to win the medal.
“I’m over the moon, rapt, shocked,” Moran said. “When I got the call last week I was in disbelief. (My partner Fiona) and I were only talking a week or so ago about who was in the running for it and I had discounted myself.
“Fi thought I was a chance, but I had only played nine games and I missed four due to washouts or going to see the kids. I thought I wouldn’t poll high against Leopold, I got a hundred but we lost the game, so I talked myself out of it.
“Fi said ‘No, you’ll be a chance’, but when I started explaining she said ‘You’re right, you’re probably no chance’.
“So I definitely didn’t expect it, but it’s an absolute honour to be able to be recognised for some outstanding achievements throughout the year.”
With the GCA’s presentation night cancelled due to the coronavirus, Moran was awarded the medal during a livestream via GCA media.
He also claimed Division 1 Champion Player award as well as the Player of the Year, accumulating 764 points to beat Mehta (747) and Andy Hughes (600).
But the stylish left-hander was unable to be crowned before his peers in a packed room, instead notified on the phone by GCA Media’s Wes Cusworth.
“It just feel a bit weird, but I’m also glad in a way because I’m not the type of person who likes to stand up in front of people and have them looking at me,” Moran said.
“It’s nice just to be recognised for your efforts, but not be out of my comfort zone.
“It’s an unreal feeling, but it hasn’t quite set in because I’m not only the second player from Grovedale to win the Jack Sing, obviously Fi’s brother Gareth (Yelland) has won it a few times, so that’s special.
“I also ended up with the most runs in a season in the history of the club, so there’s a few personal achievements that haven’t quite sunk in.
“There’s a rich history at Grovedale and I’m proud to be part of that.”
Moran adds the three awards to a long list of trophies over his decorated career.
He is an eight-time winner of the Dubbo District Cricket Association’s cricketer of the year, a three-time winner of the Western Zone cricketer of the year and has also claimed the New South Wales country player of the year award.