SEVEN-time Innes Medal winner Tom Vadlja didn’t think he would get another grand final opportunity, and he won’t take this weekend’s game for granted.
Now into his early fifties, the SCA legend is still playing an important role for Mildura East, who are into their first premiership play-off since their last flag in 2013.
Vadlja, who has made 486 runs and taken 19 wickets for the campaign, is one of four players in the current squad who played a decade ago, alongside coach Josh Berry, co-captain Brad Thomas and Regan Connell.
After finishing in the bottom two in the past four seasons, East just need to defeat Irymple this weekend to complete the ultimate turnaround following their gritty two-wicket semi-final win over minor premiers Gol Gol.
“For where our club was at say five years ago, when we were bottom of the ladder, lacking players and needing a restructure at the committee level, it’s amazing to see where we are,” Vadlja said.
“We had all four men’s divisions and the women’s side make finals, we’re at a brilliant new facility, we’re all really excited.
“The semi-final was an amazing game and thinking back, I had the exact same feeling 10 years ago when we played Mildura Settlers to make the grand final, just how tight it was and not knowing the outcome until the final ball.
“The fight our blokes showed was fantastic.”
Vadlja said he is thankful every day to still be playing cricket, but said he continues to work hard to ensure he is not a “weak link” in the side.
Although his role has changed over time, he has still been a vital member of this year’s playing squad.
“Honestly I never thought I’d play in another grand final,” he said.
“I’m thankful every day to still be playing, let alone get back there again … call it Lady Luck shining down on me perhaps.
“I’ve had a few injuries in the last few years and we’ve had some challenges as a family, but cricket gives me a great outlet and I’m very lucky I’ve got great support around me to keep playing.
“It’s getting harder, but I’m always there at net sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, trying to keep working on things and trying to be a leader around the club.
“There’s plenty I’ve had to change, I was an opening bat and now I’m at number four, and I was an opening bowler and now I’m a spinner, so I’m still working on improvement and trying to keep involved in the game.”
Vadlja said he sees similarities between this year’s side and the last premiership team.
“When it comes to finals, experience matters, which was proved by Brad Thomas and Andrew Ross in our win the weekend, those guys were huge,” he said.
