HANDS UP, WHICH CLUB IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE LEAGUE
BELL Post Hill president Mark Brady has taken a swipe at GCA powerbrokers, angrily claiming top-tier clubs are holding the competition to ransom.
Brady said the reluctance of GCA1 clubs to play oneday matches in lower grades was crippling the game and making it all-but impossible for Division 2 clubs to earn promotion.
He claimed seven of 10 Division 1 clubs wanted to maintain two-day fixtures in the fourth XI, but clubs in GCA2 are adamant they should not play the longer format in such a low grade.
The top two GCA2 teams, Bell Post Hill and Bell Park, are unable to field a fourth two-day team — a prerequisite to play in the top division.
Bell Post Hill has been offered promotion, but will likely vote against the move at a meeting on Monday night on the grounds it will not have enough players for a two-day fourths side.
Brady believes GCA1 clubs are ignoring the situation of second and third division clubs for self-interest.
“It’s just a disgrace,” he said.
“Basically what’s happening is seven clubs are holding the other 30 clubs to ransom.
“It looks increasingly likely that we can’t play Div- ision 1 unless the fourth XI are all one-dayers. We want to go up, but without onedayers in the fourths, we’re going to struggle.
“The 10 clubs responded to the GCA and three clubs said they would rather play onedayers in the fourth XI, but the rest don’t want it.
“I’ve spoken to a fair few captains in the fourths, and they struggle to get players week in, week out, but these clubs can’t see it.
“These seven clubs have closed the door on promotionrelegation because we don’t have any clubs in Division 2 that have the capacity to go up.
“There’s a disconnect between what is best for the club and what is best for cricket in Geelong.”
GCA president Barry McFarlane pointed to a survey where clubs voted “virtually unanimously” to stick with two-day cricket.
“It’s difficult to tell clubs that want to be promoted that they need to have another two-day hard-wicket team when they don’t have it,” McFarlane said.
“The other way to look at it, Division 1 has a standard, and if you want to play Division 1 cricket, then you must reach the standard.”
Brady believes the GCA has an opportunity to make “cricket competitive again”.
“As custodians of cricket, we have a duty to maintain cricket and give every club the best opportunity to play the best cricket they can,” Brady said.
“And the clubs have forgotten about this. They are all about themselves. I don’t care if Bannockburn and Teesdale come into Division 1 and we have to play a couple of games on a hard deck . . . so what?
“If you’re playing the best cricket, who really cares? I’m so frustrated.
“I have loved cricket all my life but this has driven a stake through my heart. I’m committed to being president again next season, if they elect me, but after that I’m walking away from cricket.
“It’s just disgraceful.”