“THE STAR”, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - PAGE 25
Occupying the crease Graeme “Paddy” Watkins has been a fixture in local cricket for decades. Described by one of his Fish Creek Tarwin colleagues as the best player in the competition for the past 20 years, there is no doubting his position as one of the all time greats of the local game. But at 45, Graeme reckons his days at the very top of the tree might have passed.
bowl quick at training because he would have killed most people, because that is what he liked to do. How did you go facing the standard of bowling in district cricket? You adapt. When I was playing thirds I was facing the district “ones” bowlers who were charging in, which was pretty daunting initially and you feared you would be killed (laughs), but it really helped your game, because that fear of being killed helped you get your head out of the way – usually. I think it was that fear that drove you to improve your game, because you just knew you had to be more alert, you had to concentrate better, you had to have better footwork and just improve every part of your game. They used to get me out a lot, but after three or four weeks you become – not comfortable with it – but you adapt.
There are lots of good players, but I’m not sure I’d be the best. I think the lack of quick bowlers helps me out, there’s not many quick bowlers around. You don’t like them quick more? I just think as you get older reflexes get slower and I think would sort me out more so than would someone who is 25.
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When you were 25 you were a lot more confident against pace? The quicks have never worried me, I’ve never worn a helmet – sorry, I wore one once – but as I’ve got older my reflexes are not as good and my eye is not as good. You must realise you have a real talent for the game. Do you enjoy that? Yeah. Probably right from an early age I’ve had lots of shots and it’s come fairly naturally, but I’ve also worked at it a fair bit and read lots of books. How far does talent take you, technique being another big factor in cricket? Talent takes you a fair way, but for me, it is from here up (motions above the shoulders). Lots of guys can make
brilliant 20s and 30s and there’s lots of guys who can do that much better than I will, but I can probably pace myself to go on and get better scores. It’s whether you get sucked in by the opposition or whether it is too hot, or if you feel the opposition has the better of you. If you just play each ball as it comes … you will live to fight another day. What is it about cricket that keeps you coming back each year? I like being around the guys, particularly the younger guys. I’ve done a bit of coaching of junior cricket and have a real passion for trying to impart some of my knowledge onto the younger guys. It’s a good sport you can play at all ages. The fitter you are the better, but you can still play cricket at 50 and not be left behind like other sports. Do you ever get bored when you’re
fielding? No. You never think, “gee I could be doing something else rather than standing around on an oval on a hot day”? I’ve never bowled that much, but even as a kid I learnt to enjoy fielding. I’m not sure why a lot of people are bored stiff after five minutes and then drop catches and miss run outs. Cricket can be a slow game where you might not participate for a whole day’s play. Do you think that could be a problem in attracting kids to the game? You’re asking the wrong person. (laughs). Yes, they seem to prefer 20/20 games where there is a lot of action. Personally, I much prefer to sit down and watch a test match, even if there was not
much happening. I get involved in the contest rather than seeing fours or sixes going over the fence. I like to see what the skipper is doing, how he is manipulating his bowling, how he is manipulating the field, whether he has worked out the batsman and where he places his field for him and then how the batsman responds to that and adjusts his game. Over a decade spent in various grades of district cricket saw Graeme facing some of the best bowlers in the state while playing for Waverley. With no helmet, he padded up to tear-away speedsters who wanted to knock over more than just his stumps. Rodney Hogg was the coach for one year – he was a great coach actually. He certainly got white line fever, though. He was more astute off the ground than I thought he might have been. He didn’t
As a non-cricketer, I marvel that batsmen can react to a ball being bowled from 22 yards at 140 km/h and have time to make a decision, adjust the footwork and hit the ball for six. Do you have a similar admiration for that sort of skill? I know at training last year, a ball reared up of a decent length and at the last minute I went like that (motions a bat going in front of his face). I didn’t think to do it, it just happened. If I hadn’t of done it it would have got me right between the eyes. It was just reflexes and technique. The more you face fast bowlers the better those parts of your game become. If I was thrown in front of fast bowlers now I would really, really struggle.
Who is the best you have faced in South Gippsland? Craig Mollison from Inverloch always used to get me out. He was just a good consistent bowler. He wasn’t lightning quick but he bowled with a bit of pace, put it in the right spot and just did enough with the ball to get me out.
Still helping out Child FIRST opening day MEL Thatcher does not let age get in the way of lending a hand. The 93-year-old helps at the Australian Red Cross fundraising shop in Inverloch every second Tuesday. She joined the shop a few months after the store opened in March 1988 and recently accumulated 21 years of service. Shop manager Lorraine Scott said Mel continues to make a significant contribution. “We think it’s fantastic she still walks to the shop and she is much loved by all of our customers, and there is no sign of her slowing down,” she said.
By Work Experience student Blake Johnson
SOUTH Coast Child FIRST and Integrated Family Services officially opened recently with morning tea, children’s activities and short speeches from John Lawrence (Kilmany Uniting Care CEO) and Val Callister (Dep. of Human Services Gippsland Regional Director). The building is located at the Kil-
many UnitingCare on Church St, Leongatha and its aim is to support vulnerable children, young people and their families in South Gippsland and Bass Coast. Kilmany UnitingCare, Anglicare Victoria, Bass Coast Regional Health, Berry Street Victoria and the Department of Human Services have formed a partnership in creating the service for local people. Child FIRST (Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Team) work with children aged up to 17 years and their families who are experiencing difficulties, including
Above: Fun times: Jeremy, Sienna and Scott having a ball. Thanks a lot: Lorraine Scott, manager of the Australian Red Cross shop at Inverloch, presents Mel Thatcher with a gift of appreciation.
Right: Happy faces: Emma and Ruby enjoy face painting.
parents expecting a child. They are set up across Victoria and are a place where school, service providers, community members, or families can ring for advice or referral when concerned about a child or young person’s welfare. South Coast Integrated Family Services aims to work with families with an early intervention and solution focus to prevent involvement of Child Protection whilst promoting stability, development and safety within families.