By RUSSELL BENNETT
AARON Avery was honoured to win the Terry Stephenson Medal as the best player in the WGCA’s Premier division in 2013-14, but he said he would still give it back in a heartbeat if it meant another flag for the Gulls.
Avery was standing next to the bar at the Berwick Bowls Club on Friday night, chatting to Kooweerup counterpart Michael Giles, when his name was called out as the winner of the West Gippsland Cricket Association’s Premier grade player of the year.
With beer in hand, the Tooradin skipper’s mind couldn’t be further away from the showpiece award at league’s night of nights.
Still, Avery summed up 2013-14 as his best season since his return to the Seagulls nest from Frankston Peninsula seven years ago. He finished with 425 runs at an average of 47, and 25 wickets at 10.4.
Ironically, the star all-rounder credited a strong, injury-free pre-season as a key behind his consistency.
“My hamstrings have always been an issue for me,” he said.
“I have no idea why – I stretch and do all the right things but I’ve probably just got short hamstrings too.”
Avery won the Terry Stephenson Medal, struck in honour of the former league president and Pakenham life member, with 15 votes – one ahead of Upper Beaconsfield skipper John Simpson and Pakenham super-bat, Smith.
But he’ll remember Friday night much more for the presentation of Tooradin’s B Grade and F Grade premiership flags.
Of the Gulls’ five senior teams, four made the finals this season. Avery and clubmate Jarred Thompson even coached the Tooradin under-17s into a grand final.
For more on this year’s WGCA awards, see this week’s edition of the Berwick-Pakenham Gazette.
