Sport
23 February, 2023
13-year-old Brett Coon becomes Clunes’ hat-trick hero
For a variety of reasons on Saturday, Clunes’ victory over top team Colts Phelans in A reserve will be remembered for a long time among the Magpie cohort, not least for 13-year-old Brett Coon. Not only was it a win that kept the Magpies within...
For a variety of reasons on Saturday, Clunes’ victory over top team Colts Phelans in A reserve will be remembered for a long time among the Magpie cohort, not least for 13-year-old Brett Coon.
Not only was it a win that kept the Magpies within touching distance of top spot with three games to play, it also almost certainly locked in a finals appearance, sitting 15 points ahead of fifth-placed Avoca.
But it was the manner in which they won which made the day special in so many ways, with a trio of unlikely heroes emerging for the Magpies.
Sitting at 8/49 after being sent in to bat first by Colts, the Magpies embarked on an incredible 72-run ninth-wicket partnership, chiefly led by Joshua Dunn, who finished on 44, and Dean Whitehouse, who contributed with 20 runs, which helped the Magpies make a defendable 123 from 32 overs.
When Colts batted, wickets fell at a reasonably steady stream, but it was still looking comfortable for the ladder leaders when they sat at 6/97, needing a further 27 to win.
Enter Coon — who is quickly emerging as a name to watch over the coming years for Clunes.
Coon’s spell yielded a hat-trick, firstly taking the wicket of Patrick Pritchard, who was looking comfortable on 15, with Rajitha Perera taking a catch off his bowling.
He then trapped Riley Govan in front for LBW, then bowled Colts’ A reserve captain Daniel McGregor to complete his hat-trick, transforming the game Clunes way, and eventually allowing them to take an incredible eight-run victory.
All after being 8/49.
Coon’s hat-trick was believed to be the first for the club in 25 years, as well as the third in the club’s history.
But for now, Coon is just happy to revel in the moment and enjoy the win.
“It was actually unreal. We didn’t make as many runs as we would have liked, but Colts were making some decent runs and got into a partnership, so we needed to take a few wickets, and I was lucky enough to get a hat-trick to get us back into the game, and then we took another wicket and ended up getting the win,” he said.
“We were looking a bit down at 8/49, but Joshua Dunn came in and made 44 and Dean Whitehouse made 20. It was nice to end up getting a decent total.”
Coon has been a shining light for the Magpies in the last two weeks after two months of frustration as they were unable to take the field due to various teams forfeiting their games against them.
So far in 2023, Coon has taken seven wickets — four of them coming against Natte Yallock the week before, including the key wicket of the Swans’ top scorer for the season, Zac Mortlock, for two.
His recent form has allowed him to now sit 11th on the wicket-taking list in A reserve with nine wickets for the season, all at the incredible average of 6.56 — lower than anyone in the top 40 bowlers in the competition, while also going at a strike rate of 10.67 and an average of 3.69 runs per over.
Coon has also grown into his role after playing his part in Country Week for the under 13 Maryborough representative team last month, finishing with two wickets.
According to Coon, playing as much cricket as he can is benefitting him.
“I’m bowling well at the moment, and I hope to keep it up,” he said.
“Everything helps for me at the moment. Playing is important, as is training, just to keep improving.
“Line and length is important, trying to move it and change it up. That’s all I look to do.”
Coon’s brother, Paul, currently serves as the captain of the Magpies’ A reserve team, and has enjoyed a solid season of his own, taking 11 wickets at an average of 12.73.
It’s clear that Brett looks up to him, as well as all of his coaches at Clunes.
“The coaches have been important for my cricket, as is Paul, and everyone who I’ve played with,” he said.
“It’s good to play with Paul on a weekly basis, and it’s great to have him by my side.”
Brett and his Clunes team will now look to lock in their A reserve finals appearance tomorrow when the Magpies host Avoca at Bull Millgate Oval.