Club Champions crowned at Melbourne Cricket Club’s Presentation Dinner

The Club Champions of the 2020/21 Men’s and Women’s Premier Cricket seasons have been announced, with Blake Thomson and Rhiann O’Donnell claiming the top award at Friday night’s Presentation Dinner.

The annual event, which returned after last year’s absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw over 250 guests attend the Members’ Dining Room at the MCG as the season’s award winners, retirees and premiers were celebrated.

The Club Champion award caps off a fantastic on-field season for O’Donnell, who also received the Una Paisley Medal for best player in the Women’s Premier Firsts at the Premier Cricket Awards last month.

O’Donnell, who travelled from her home town of Mildura throughout the season, made 488 runs for the season at an average of 40.70 and claimed 25 wickets. Her season also included a maiden hundred at the Club – compiling an unbeaten 105 against Dandenong.

Rhiann O’Donnell was awarded the women's Club Champion.

Men’s Club Champion, Blake Thomson also accumulated the kilometers during the season, commuting from Ballarat.

Thomson finished the season with 636 runs at an average of 63.60. Thomson’s highlights of season included a century against Kingston Hawthorn, an unbeaten 95 against Footscray and four other half-centuries throughout the season.

Blake Thomson was awarded the Men's Club Champion.

Match Day Manager, Bruce Wilson, was named Best Club Person for going above and beyond throughout the 2020/21 season. His long list of contributions over the season included providing administrative support, organising scorers, managing MyCricket duties, writing match reports and even working behind the bar at the new Clive Fairbairn Pavilion at the Albert Ground.

Match Day Manager Bruce Wilson was named Best Club Person.

Tom Cesaro was awarded the Brian Watson Memorial Award for the most outstanding performance by an MCC cricketer for his heroics during the thirds’ quarter-final against Prahran.

With Prahran requiring five runs from the last over to win the knockout-style final, Cesaro with ball-in-hand produced an incredible over, which saw five wickets fall for just three runs, securing the victory for the MCC.

The five wickets included two catches, an lbw and two run-outs – one of which Cesaro played a role in.

Tom Cesaro received the Brian Watson Memorial Award.

This year’s retirees were also honoured on the evening with Bridie Chesterfield, Max Tucker, Sam Brewin, Patrick Smith and Peter Petricola all calling time on their MCC on-field careers at the close of the season. Matthew Brown and Sean Sturrock – who called time on their careers at the end of last season – were also celebrated for their outstanding contribution to the club.

Petricola, whose time with the MCC spanned over 20 years, playing in 334 matches and winning eight premierships, spoke on behalf of the retirees as tributes flowed for the outgoing players.

Congratulations to all the award winners and thank you to all the retiring players.

Award winners:

Club Champion (women’s) – Rhiann O’Donnell
Paul Sheahan Club Champion (men’s) – Blake Thomson
Best Club Person – Bruce Wilson
Brian Watson Memorial Award – Tom Cesaro

Youth Cricketer of the Year, sponsored by the MCC XXIX Club (women’s) – Hasrat Gill
Youth Cricketer of the Year, sponsored by the MCC XXIX Club (men’s) – Kobe Herft

Player’s Most Valuable Player (women’s) – Hasrat Gill
Player’s Most Valuable Player (men’s) - Glenn Hannah

MCC Club XI Player of the Season (MCC1) – Hugh Hyslop
MCC Club XI Player of the Season (MCC2) – Oscar Wood
MCC Club XI Player of the Season (MCC3) – William Ong

Player of the Women’s Seconds Semi-Final – Hasrat Gill
Player of the Women’s Seconds Grand Final – Hasrat Gill
Player of the Women’s Thirds Semi-Final – Zoe Samuel

Player of the Men’s Seconds Quarter-Final – Glenn Hannah
Player of the Men’s Seconds Semi-Final – Peter Petricola
Players of the Men’s Seconds Grand Final – Wilson McGillivray
Player of the Men’s Thirds Quarter-Final – Tom Cesaro
Player of the Men’s Thirds Semi-Final – Phil Halbish
Player of the Men’s Thirds Grand Final – Chris Anderson
Player of the Men’s Fourths Quarter-Final – Brendan Reddell
Player of the Men’s Fourths Semi-Final – Hugh Hyslop
Player of the Men’s Fourths Grand Final – Darcy Daly

Banner image: This year's retirees were honoured at the awards evening.