BRAD Manna’s memory will live on with the fourth annual Brad Manna Memorial Twenty20 between Fire Brigade and Merbein South cricket clubs on Thursday at Chaffey Park.
Manna, a former player with both clubs, died in July 2017 following a battle with brain cancer after being diagnosed at just 26 the year before.
The clubs have played for the Brad Manna Memorial Shield since then to honour their fallen mate, with Merbein South’s Daniel Carmichael keen to see the Saints claim it for the first time.
“We’ll get the win this year, we’ve gone 0-3 so like when myself and Brad Manna came out to Merbein South from Workers we weren’t very good and then we went on the recruit like I have this year, so we’re going to get a good team together and finally knock them over,” Carmichael said.
“He was obviously a big part of our lives and a big part of these cricket clubs.
“It’s good to keep his memory going, we’ll play in his spirit, there’ll be plenty of sledging, plenty of banter back and forth, it’ll be a good game.”
Fire Brigade captain Connor Lynch said the match would be played the way Manna himself would.
“It’s always a good match. It’s played in a friendly manner but there’s a competitive spirit about it. We play in Brad’s spirit and he always wanted to win,” Lynch said.
“You don’t go out there to lose.
“It’s good to have a day for it, and it’s awareness for the cause, everyone comes together and it’s a good way to remember him.”
The match will begin at 5pm and there will be a barbecue and drinks at bar prices.
