Gary Ireland: first premiership captain

Host David Baird talks with Bayswater Morley legend Gary “GI” Ireland about his long and historic career. Gary reflects on his path from country recruit to the club’s leading run-scorer and its first First Grade premiership captain in 1985-86. It’s a celebration of the club’s culture, smart recruiting and the characters who shaped its fiercely competitive 1980s, alongside Gary’s honest reflections on his chances at state level.

In this episode

• 0:03 Introducing Gary Ireland: leading run-scorer, first premiership captain and former WA Sheffield Shield player
• 1:51 Joining in 1977 behind his older brother Jimmy, a Collie lad who rode his bike from Midland to games
• 3:47 Tough early years in First Grade on grassy wickets, turning into a highly competitive 1980s
• 5:28 Losing seven players, taking the captaincy in 1985-86 and beating Midland for the club’s first First Grade flag
• 8:18 Teammates and characters, including 300-gamer Jamie Snadden and Glenn Hughes
• 11:19 The committee and volunteers, especially scoreboard operator Eddie Metherall, who served for nearly 60 years
• 12:25 Toughest opponents, grand final battles with Mount Lawley and South Perth, and why leg spinners gave him trouble
• 14:42 A decade in the state squad, and taking responsibility for not playing more Sheffield Shield cricket
• 16:24 Returning to Bayswater Morley after a stint at Mount Lawley, and the grand finals that got away

Quotes

“They did the behind-the-scenes work. All we had to do was turn up and play cricket.”

“Some of the guys who regularly got me out weren’t necessarily name players. I think I tended to play better against tougher opponents.”

“I certainly have no regrets and I certainly have no fault on anybody. The fault lied with me. I don’t think I prepared as well as what I could have.”