There were plenty of cricket battles between Jack, Daniel and Archie Lalor in their Bacchus Marsh backyard growing up.
The talented trio, who have all represented Victoria at various levels, had done battle many times against each other, but the trio had never lined up all together on the same team in an official match.
That was until Saturday.
The youngest of the three, Archie, returned to the first XI side, joining his two older brothers in the team to face St Kilda.
“I was pretty excited when I found out,” Archie said. “I was with Daniel when I found out and they said I would be in the firsts this week.
“I looked at Dan and I was pretty excited and had a big smile on my face. It will be something that I remember my whole life.”
Oldest brother Jack said it was pretty special. He has been a mainstay in the Dragons first XI for a number of years.
“It was pretty cool, a bit surreal,” he said. “I was pretty nervous and I don’t usually get nervous.
“To play with my brothers that I’ve grown up with and had plenty of battles in the backyard, it was awesome.”
Daniel shared similar sentiments saying he felt comfortable being in the team with his brothers.
“It was awesome,” he said. “I had played with Jack and Archie individually. It was pretty special and something to aspire to.
“We got pretty competitive when we were younger and there was a fair bit of white line fever.”
Daniel made 27 and Jack eight with the bat, while Archie took one wicket in the loss to the Saints.
Jack said there had been some talks about the three of them all playing in the first XI since before Christmas but it took until the first game back to happen.
Daniel started the season in the third XI after going back to play at Bacchus Marsh last season due to injury.
He worked his way into the first XI before Christmas.
Daniel said he always wanted to go back to premier cricket.
“It’s been good to get back into premier cricket,” he said. “I was hungry to get back.
“I got the chance after making some runs. I then got the opportunity to open the batting which has been a good experience against some quality bowlers.
“They’ve backed me in to play the game that I want to play.”
Archie started the season the second XI after an injury and was starting to string some good form together before heading to the under-19 national championships late last year.
He had a strong carnival having last year just falling short of making the Australian under-19 team.
“I was in the squad but I unfortunately got cut,” he said. “From all reports I was thereabouts, but not quite there.
“I want to keep progressing with my cricket and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity down that path.”
The majority of the crowd in attendance on Saturday were there to watch the Lalor trio.
Jack said his parents had done a lot of the hard work over the years
“There were 60-70 people at the game and about 40 Lalors,” he said. “Dad is one of 10 so we have a big family.
“It was really good for them [parents] as they’ve driven us around the country. It was good for them to watch us all in one spot and save on petrol.”
Daniel said it was nice to have that support network that wanted to support them and something that he cherished.
While the trio play for Northcote now, Bacchus Marsh Cricket Club still remains close to the heart for all three boys.
All three have played for the Bulls as guest players in their T20 campaign this season.
Cousin Will Lalor has played alongside them. Will’s brother, Sam Lalor who was also a talented cricketer, was recently taken at number one in the AFL draft.
“I didn’t realise how many kids had come down to watch and how much of an impact that we’d had,” Jack said.
“It’s important for me to go back and support local.”
Daniel added, “everytime they ask, I put my hand up, while Archie said the club had been huge for all three of them.
All three boys said they wanted to finish the season in the same team and hopefully have some team success together.
