Closing time on a stellar career
COLAC publican Dave Lineen is calling last drinks on one of the great GCA careers.
For the first time in a decade, East Belmont has entered a season without the champion fast bowler.
Lineen was hampered by a significant pectoral injury in 2020-21 and only played in the seconds in the second half of the season.
It is expected he will take the summer off, signalling the end for one of the competition’s modern greats.
Lineen joined East Belmont ahead of the 2011-12 season and played in 109 first XI games after starting his career in Geelong with Manifold Heights, where he made 24 appearances in the top grade.
In all, there were 263 wickets, including 12 five-wicket hauls, in 12 seasons, four grand final appearances for three premierships, association and Victoria Country selection and the universal respect from the competition.
East Belmont president Tom Scannell said Lineen was “totally buggered” at the end of last season but left the door open for a possible return.
“I know over years and years spearheading our attack bowling a lot of overs, there was a period he went through being both the workhorse and the spearhead of our line-up,” Scannell said.
“What is he, 33, 34 years of age? No doubt that’s caught up to him a little bit as well.
“He keeps very busy away from cricket as well. Obviously he’s Colac-based so coming down the highway every week to train and play is a big commitment.
“He does run a pub so that’s a busy commitment – and has a couple of kids as well.
“I certainly hope we’ll see him back at some stage. Whether it’s at the top level or not remains to be seen but he’s a terrific character and has been immense for our cricket club over a number of years.”
Lineen has been one of the cornerstones in East Belmont’s golden period.
Five times he was its leading wicket-taker and twice the bighearted quick topped the competition bowling charts.
He was also recognised in the club’s Team of the HalfCentury a few years back.
“He’s an absolute warrior,” Scannell said.
“We think of him as being the glamorous fast-bowling spearhead who comes on as a strike weapon and he takes you wickets, but you look back over the last 10 years, he’s really been the workhorse as well.
“The number of really long spells … it was always him that we relied on just to dig that little bit deeper and produce something.
“He’s won so many games for us over the years taking so many bags of wickets, it must take a toll. There’s only so long you can do that grunt work and give so much of yourself and not have it catch up with you eventually.”
Scannell said Lineen would be regarded as one of the club’s finest fast bowlers.
“He’s absolutely cemented his spot as one of the all-time greats,” he said.