Tara Murray
Outgoing Darley coach Brian Wheelahan is hoping to go out on a high in the Ballarat Cricket Association.
The club announced last week that the two-time premiership winning coach had made the decision to step down at the end of the season after four seasons in charge.
Wheelahan told Star Weekly that he was just gassed.
“I think it’s a good time for myself and my family,” he said. “The last four years have been an unbelievable ride but it’s time for someone else to take over.
“I’m just gassed, it’s more than a six month job. I’m there four times a week and with the kids at 7am on a Saturday morning.
“I’ve loved every minute of it and I won’t be a stranger to the club.”
Wheelahan said he steps away from the role really proud of what they’ve achieved. He guided the club to its first BCA first XI premiership and they backed it up 12 months later.
The Lions then made the grand final last season and finished this season sitting second after the regular season.
He said that consistency was something that he was really proud of.
His job isn’t done, with the Lions primed for another big finals series. They locked up second spot with victory against Ballarat-Redan on Saturday.
Day one of the match was washed out, so the match became a one-dayer with 50 overs each.
The Lions made 6-262 with contributions across the board.
Dilan Chandima top scored with 69 at the top of the order, while Danza Hyatt made 62.
Ballarat-Redan never looked like getting the runs, finishing 8-195.
Chandima was the seventh bowler used, but he was the pick of the bowlers taking 4-35 off 10 overs.
Wheelahan said it wasn’t their best performance.
“It was a bit sketchy,” he said. “It wasn’t up to our normal standard in the field.
“We did what we needed to do, we’ll take that winning form into finals. Winning form is good form, but everything we’ve done now is forgotten.”
The Lions finished second and will face East Ballarat in a knockout semi final this Saturday and Sunday.
The winner will face the winner of the other semi final, Wendouree and Mt Clear, in a four day grand final.
Wheelahan said they were looking forward to what is ahead of them.
“It’s down to the top four,” he said. “All four sides are quality sides and we’ve got the benefit of having been there before.
“We’re not going to have stage fright or anything like that. It’s us against East Ballarat, two versus three.
“They’re a great outfit and it should be a ripping contest.”
The Lions first XI is the only men’s side from the club to make finals. Their women’s side made the finals of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association T20 competition.
