What an incredible and unforgettable night! More than 125 guests attended Woodend Cricket Club’s extravaganza Hall of Fame night on Saturday.
The cricket club inducted 14 of its finest players of the last decade into the Hall of Fame.
The gathering at Gisborne Golf Club also celebrated five of WCC’s greatest cricketers of the last century becoming Legends of the club.
They played a combined 1728 games for Woodend, and have a combined 41 premierships between them.
Some guests travelled from the various edges of Australia to be present for this very special occasion.
“The Hall of Fame night wasn’t just a ceremony, it was a celebration of the values and principles that underpin our club,” livewire president Daniel Heaney told the Express.
“It was a reminder of the excellence that we all strive for, the friendships that we cherish and the commitment that we hold dear.
“Also it was an evening that brought generations of Woodend cricketers together, bridging the past and the present and uniting us in a shared appreciation of the game,” Heaney said.
Tales of yesteryear flowed freely at the function.
There was loud applause when Jamie Walker was also inducted as the 25th Life Member of Woodend Cricket Club.
His great contribution off and on the field was emphasised.
IN HALL OF FAME
The selection criteria for the inductees into the Hall of Fame were that they must have either scored at least 3500 runs, taken 200 wickets, or played 200 games.
The 14 inductees were (with credentials):
Timothy Bakker (wickets).
Stewart Black (games, runs).
Aaron Cavric (games, runs, wickets).
Warren Else (games, runs, wickets).
Ian Fletcher (runs).
Scott Fuller (wickets).
Grayham Hannam (games, wickets).
Daniel Heaney (runs).
Adam Johnstone (runs).
Barry Mann (runs).
Greg Matthews (games, wickets).
Jamie Walker (games).
Tim Loughnane (wickets).
Andrew Pike (wickets).
Of the 14, those still playing are Black, Cavric, Else, Heaney, Mann, Matthews and Walker.
THE LEGENDS
Peter Polly Barker. 
Mick Gumboot Barker. 
Kevin Sullivan. 
John Shaw. 
Jim Godden. 
Hall of Fame pin.
The five former players elevated as a ‘Legend’ of Woodend Cricket Club are widely known, with many Country Week
and representative games also behind them. Their sporting prowess also extends to other sports, particularly football.
Peter Barker: 292 games, 6601 runs at an average of 25.8 and 615 wickets at 11.1. Nine premierships (six in a row as captain in the early 1960s). Premiership performances include 47, 53, 101, 103, 4-31 and 5-34. With Kevin Sullivan, still holds the First XI opening partnership record of 233 versus Gisborne in 1966-67. Taken 26 five-wicket hauls in First XI and holds second all-time wickets, eighth all-time runs and ninth all-time games.
Mick Barker: 379 games, 2556 runs and 830 wickets at an average of 18.2. Most wickets for Woodend, actually 215 more than the next best. Played fifth most games and continues as First XI team manager. Premiership player with 4-36, 4-50 and 5-64 in grand final wins. Took 50 wickets at an average of 15.5 in 1977-78 season. Fifty five-wicket hauls, including 9-62, 9-83, 8-44 and 8-118.
Kevin Sullivan: 388 games, 9630 runs at 28.7, and 473 wickets at 16.2. Ten premierships, including two as captain. Grand final efforts include 61, 77, 87 and 108. Scores 13 First XI centuries and claimed 15 five-wicket hauls. Currently sits second for all-time runs, fourth for all-time wickets and fourth for all-time games. First for First XI games with 360, 82 of next best Brett Gardner. Holds record for first (233), second (215) and third (252) wicket partnerships in First XI.
Jim Godden: 254 gams, 8457 runs at 36.1 and 458 wickets at 11.3. One of the club’s greatest all-rounders and 18 five-wicket hauls. His numbers could be even better (couple of scorebooks missing from his era). Nine premierships, including one as captain. Some of his grand final statistics include 51, 83, 97, 130 not out, and 147, plus 5-30 with the ball. Currently third all-time runs and sixth all-time wickets.
John Shaw: 415 games at 28.1 and 101 wickets, he played for over 48 seasons for Woodend. Nine premierships included 51 in a grand final. Holds record for all-time runs and made 13 centuries. Had played the most games for a long time and only recently overtaken by Grant McDonald and Paul Jamieson. Until current McIntyre Cup First XI captain Marcus Stewart overtook him in 2017-18, held the record of highest score of 216 not out in 1977-78 for 40 years.
