I came to coach Geelong CC in 2020–21, after a year off and four years at Dandenong CC. Before that, eight years at Melbourne CC. You could call me a journeyman. Or a tragic. Bonkers might be closer.
Club coaching is hard—and I’d have no shortage of people nodding along. The dispersion of ability and attitude is as wide as a clown’s smile. Managing those expectations is exhausting.
Then there are moments that feed you. Give you a spark. A reason to keep going.
We’d lost to Dandenong in the 2020–21 semi-final after being two laps in front with four to run. The following season started slowly. We were 1/3, beat Kingston, then lost to St Kilda. Two wins from six. Not ideal.
In mid-January, we played Casey South Melbourne at home in a 50-over game. We chased down 242, with Hayden Butterworth making a hundred and Josh Larkin finishing the job from number five. Three wins from six. A turning point.
Not because of the cricket. Not really. It was the first time I properly spoke to Poppy.
Pop’s the daughter of Trav, Geelong’s Director of Cricket and, at the time, my boss. She has a little sister and an older brother who plays for the club. At ten or eleven, she was a little shy, rarely far from her dad—like Snoopy and Charlie Brown. She loved cricket. Played footy, too.
During the innings, we crossed paths a few times.
“Think we’ll get ’em, Speaky?” “What d’ya reckon, Speaky?” “Are you nervous, Speaky?”
Pop watched every ball. Totally invested.
After the win, I found her outside the rooms, patiently waiting for Dad.
“Told ya we’d win!”
“Yes, Pop, you did. Thanks for that.”
“Who do we play next?”
“Dandenong.”
“Oh, we need to beat them, don’t ya think?” "
“Yes, Pop. We do.”
The shyness had gone. The guard rails were off. We were cricket mates.
Then came the question.
“Speaky, what do you do when you’re not here, coaching?”
“I’m writing a book, Pop.”
“About what?” A very good question.
“Kinda about me, and my experiences in cricket and life.”
“Ahh, really.” She wasn’t impressed.
“How about I write a chapter on you, Pop?”
“Really?”
This is where you have to be careful what you say.
There’s so much more here to share—I’ll stop for now and pick it up tomorrow.
Pop will hate the waiting. Haha.
Nick
