David Dillon - a little humour carries you a long way
Paul Ryan | August 27, 2023
David Dillon grew up in the bush in NSW and followed his father’s footsteps to play for Western Suburbs in Sydney Grade Cricket.
He’s cricketing journey has had many travels and as one of his team mates from Bathurst has said, “In another life, he would’ve been a great author. The often humorous and much-loved team man, David Dillon.
Let’s find out more about David
Welcome David,
Firstly, what year you were born?
1969
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
For the Griffith East Primary School B2’s in about 78/79. Might have got 2 or 3, but remember being robbed, as the ball landed on the edge of the concrete pitch and off-cut on right angles to knock me over.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
It was quite a broad journey, rather than a journey of scaling the heights. My dad was a high school maths teacher, so by the time I’d reached U16’s I’d gone to 6 schools in 3 countries. I started playing in Griffith, then Gundagai, then Bathurst. I came to Sydney to play Green Shield with Western Suburbs in 85/86 making the AW Green Shield city 1sts that played Country. Following year, I played for Country U17 against city, our skipper was Michael Slater.
I played senior cricket in Bathurst from about 13 in 6th Grade, then for Rugby Union 1st Grade at 15, who had Notts and soon to be England off spinner Peter Such the 1st year I played. A few seasons before Neil Mallendar was there. I played in 2 grand finals, going 0-2.
I then moved to Sydney just after the HSC having a few seasons with Western suburbs, trotting around in 4th and 5th grade.
Wests had such a strong club at the time. 1st Grade included Gilbert, Matthews, Welham, Dyer McNamara, Hookey, Ryan, Killen, Radcliffe skippered by Dave O’Neill. – Craig “Flea” Hayworth couldn’t get a game until the following year. That’s how strong they were.
My best moment was sharing a ton with Neil Davidson. I started it off, was about 40 not out overnight and shuffled back when the state players came back. Davo came back and took over the reins and steered it carefully over the line. I also got ‘net bowler’ of the year one year. I was a bit rocks and diamonds. One day at Blick nets, I got Scott Hookey out. Dirk Welham was standing there umpiring and even raised his finger. A few balls later, I floated one up, it looked perfect out of the hand, Hookey jumped down then whacked it and it landed on the roof of the dressing sheds at the opposite end of the ground. I’d say it went 120 meters – with a golf ball and driver that would be the equivalent of 450M.
The following season I moved across town to live at Coogee with a few mates from school and signed up with Waverley, where I topped the aggregate in 3rds and played PG’s with Michael Horsell, Kevin Roche, Darren Kingdon and Jimmy Smith. Jimbo O’Reagan was our manager. I remember one Boxing Day, 43 degrees at Village Green v UNSW and Jimbo refused us drinks because he didn’t think we deserved them. UNSW chased down our score in the blistering hot sun with about 2 balls to spare.
I moved home to Bathurst the following year and trained all winter with the Centennials boys planning to travel down and back to Sydney and play but ended up signing up with them. We went on to win Centennials 1st competition in 20 odd years and 3 more comps over the next 6 years. We were a really tight bunch of blokes all pretty much same age and have remained lifelong friends.
I needed to move to Sydney for work in 1997 and came back to Waverley now Easts and won a 4th Grade comp there with Reno, Gebes, Jimmy Smith, JH and the odd guest appearance from Greg Mo Mathews who used to play 1st and 4th grade depending on what time Dead-set legends was finished.
I moved to Sutherland to live and finished up playing at Sutherland for the last 3 years. Was great to reconnect with guys I’d played some junior reps with like Jason Young, Darrell Mann and Darren Holley. I played 2nd to 5ths - mainly 3rds with Manny and the Kenny brothers Justin and Gav, who was skipper the first year and made the final another year under Matt Duf, with Phil Wetherell and played 4’s under Adrian Craig and a few in 5’s under ‘Doc’ Givney also. Training was hard, as I worked in the city, so it was more or less dark before I got there.
What was the best thing about growing in Bathurst and playing senior cricket against the older guys?
I remember playing 6th Grade in Bathurst against men when I was 13 on ant-bed pitches with coir matting at the Showground. Blokes like Scotchy Armstrong, Snags O’Conner and on our side, we had the dynamic pair of Barry Quigs and Ronny Croucher, who had their own version of caught Marsh bowled Lillie. After initially being terrified, by these were big physically imposing blokes, you soon realised that you could compete and that was the bit I loved the most. Competing against the men gave you a huge amount of confidence when you went back to juniors. The sound of a big loud “Howzaat” from men was so different to the squeaky U13 version, so you feel the extra pressure and men play smarter.
I always opened and always wore a lid. I’d fallen off my pushie back in Gundagai and lost my front fangs to the tarmac, so mum insisted I wear a lid, but my budget didn’t stretch enough for the proper C+D, so had this horrible Hawk baseball number, then was a bit like a rag to a red bull in 6th Grade senior cricket. There were blokes who would have to try to hit it, so I became pretty good at the short ball.
I made my debut at #5 with Rugby Union, but in my 3rd game I got to open against Jeff Byrom from St Pats. I’d watched my dad play against him in 1st grade a couple of years earlier. Byrom (Paul Byrom’s dad) was an awesome sight. Big and athletic with a world class run up followed by a fast slinging action. I was worried that it would be so fast that I wouldn’t be able to see it. In the end though, he didn’t get me Randall Strongman from the other end did. Jeff was probably just past his prime in the mid 80’s, he would have been scary in the late 70’s and the St Pats team of that era was probably the best team that’s ever trotted around in Bathurst. PK (Kev) Smith, Geoff Byrom, Noel Everett, Geoff Hadley, Darren Gold, Craig Culnane, Kirk Yates and Col Wood.
What other sports did you play?
Played a bit of Golf, eventually got down to 8 at Woolooware.
Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?
Probably Cricket in the 70’s – I had a box set of ABC DVD’s. Toss up between that and Bodyline.
What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
I get and always have gotten world class hangovers after having a couple too many, along with a pretty fragile intestinal constitution.
The first time I ever got drunk was when mum and dad went away in the Easter school holidays with my little sister and left my elder brother to take care of me, when I was 15. I was crook for 2 days and didn’t drink again until I was 18.
When I first moved to Wests, I’d just turned 18. I remember one-night tagging along, getting a lift from Chris Robinson and ended up at Parra Leagues with a bunch of older blokes who were far more seasoned campaigners than me. I was pretty proud that I kept up, but as I got home realised that I was in a bit of a bad state. Having seen this play out before, I had the good sense to put a bucket next to the bed, just in case the bed spins got me again. Not long after, the bucket came into play. Unfortunately, all my forward planning and good work came unstuck as I dropped the bucket on the carpet. Next morning, I vacuumed it up and tossed the vacuum cleaner out.
What’s your highest score in senior cricket?
145 for Centennials Vs Orange Cyms, Bathurst Sportsground.
What has been your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Got 5-44 in my last game in Bathurst, a semi final v’s Oberon ORC 96/97
Who was the fastest bowler you have played against?
A few quickies.
In Bathurst, Jeff Byrom with I was 16 bowled a very quick spell at me. Kent French just before he went to the Comets was very sharp.
I played a 50-year anniversary exhibition match NSW v Western Districts, opening up with Kevin Geyer against Phil Alley and got 20. I hooked him for 6, but 2 balls later skied one and was caught and bowled trying the same. It was a yard quicker than the 1st one.
In Sydney, I’d say the fastest spell I faced was in 3rd grade. We played Gordon, who had former NSW opening bowler Richard Stobo, who had retired a few years before to take up a teaching role at Shore school. He came back to play a few games in the school holidays, and we were sent in on a greasy deck at Killara. I think it was a combination of wanting to see if he still ‘had it’ and trying to show his Shield final buddy that he did still have it, but it was as quick as anything I faced. He pinned my opening buddy Lumby in the lid and made me do some weaving to get out of the road of a few.
I also played Geoff Lawson in 4’s at Woollahra one day in about 98/99. I hit him for a single to point then got up near him and said, “gee you looked heaps quicker on the telly.” His jaw popped open for a second before he fired back that it was 15 years ago!
Who was the best spinner you have played against?
I opened the batting against Stuart McGill the day after he played in the PM’s X1. Also faced Adrian Tucker in PG’s, but I had the privilege of facing David Cracker Horne at Waverley pre-season in 89/90. Almost had me in tears it was so demoralising. Magician.
Who has been the best batsman you’ve played against?
I played a few times against Michael Slater as a junior. He was on another level, think the 1st time he was 14 and my dad, (who knew Warren Smith from their O’Farrell cup playing days), and said this kid will play for Australia.
Also played 4’s against the 1st Steve Smith at Fairfield one wet rainy day in 98/99, better remembered for the 3 days of stiffness that followed Gebes and Jimmy’s push-up comp challenge. I was so gassed after my 28 birthday that I could barely scratch my nose. Reno our skipper had Smith caught at short mid-wicket, then said “I remember he used to get out like that all the time on TV”
Who played the best innings in a game you played and if you can tell us why?
Kev Geyer got a hundred and 5 fa in a BOIDCA Grand Final in 95/96 in his final game for Centennials. Big game, lots of pressure, if he got out it was game over, but he rode us home to victory.
Which ground in Sydney club cricket did you enjoy playing at the most?
Glen McGrath Oval. Beautiful place, great wicket. Only batted there once, as most of my games were at Sutherland Oval. All season we’d batted 2nd, (Tony Clarke couldn’t buy a toss) and chased 300 worth of leather around in a day. Against Wests Tony won the toss, I batted until 30 not out. I had half a dozen ‘badges’ on my chest and guts, hadn’t played a false shot. 1st ball after lunch I got run out cold by my buddy at the other end. Darren Holley came out next and scored a beautiful ton before stumps later in the day.
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Graham Clarke (Centennials) said funny things, but some of the things he said would still be stinging blokes to this day. Razor sharp and quick. Also had a party trick, where he would pull out a 6-inch nail, put it up his nostril to get it started, then bang the rest all the way in with a beer bottle.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on the cricket field?
Unfortunately for me, it’s at my expense. 1st game of the season Centennials v Rugby Union in about 94/95 in Bathurst and we were 0-112, Kevin Geyer and I both on 50+. Kevin whacked one back at me, collected me on the arse as I tried to swerve away and knocked me off my feet. The ball ricochet back to the bowler and I was run out before I could get to my feet. Kev got a beautiful ton that day.
Who was your childhood hero?
My dad. He played 1st grade at Wests with Alan Davidson and Bob Simpson in the 60’s before moving to Griffith. He was named in the Griffith team of the 20th century. When I was 5 or 6, he was captain of the Griffith side. We lived only a few blocks from ex-servies oval, so we would walk over and play on the swings and watch. Some of my earliest memories are doing that. Dad’s teammates like Noel Everett, the Cudmore brothers, Neil Wales and Roy Binks were more relatable that TV ‘characters’ like Chappell, Lillie Marsh. I still remember the surreal feeling of seeing Thommo live at the SCG in 75/76 which would have been the 1st time I’d seen anyone other than dad’s team play.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Rory McIlroy seems like a nice humble bloke and can hit them a mile.
Tom Brady don’t know much about the NFL, but I enjoy the Super Bowl and he’s usually in it.
Michael Slater, to see if he still remembers scampering over fences with about 6 other blokes after the highway patrol pulled me and my mate over for speeding in Bathurst at a CHS carnival in ‘86.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Hard to pick between Damian Fleming, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh and Gilly when they first started doing the BBL. Great chemistry and lots of fun. I’ll go with Fleming.
Who are the two cricketers you’ve admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Kevin Geyer and Paul Toole. Both Bathurst boys who went on to captain Sydney 1st grade teams. Kev played for NSW, I watched him get man of match for 94 v TAS in 97/98. It was the day after the mardi gras and there were heaps of blokes piling out of the Horden in arseless leather chaps. Tooley is a tough hombre. Mentally tough as well as physically. Never gave an inch. If you wanted someone to bat for your life, Tooley would be a good choice.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
As I said at the start of the interview, my cricket journey has been about covering lots of miles. My story isn’t about what it’s like to get to the top and look down. But I’ve met and made friends with heaps of people over the years that if I bumped into today would have a laugh and talk about the old times. After being a long-time sceptic, I’m a newbie on Facebook and have been loving catching up with blokes I played with and against 20-30 years ago. Have to thank Brad Broes for the work he’s doing up in the BOIDCA in reconnecting people.
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Hooking big Phil Alley for 6 in that anniversary game is probably ‘ that instant’, but the thing I’m most proud of was being the 1st guy to get a hundred in the Bonner Cup, Day/Night Orange comp. (Dirk Welham got 99, 2 weeks before).
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
90/91 Centennials GF v’s St Pats. It was the first of our 4 titles. Our clubs first in 20 years and my first GF win ever. Someone came up to our skipper Mark Davis at the pub after and said “Davo you’d have to be the first bloke that has ever skippered a 1st grade premiership team, that couldn’t bat or bowl”. We were a bunch of talented kids with an average age of about 20 and without Davo we wouldn’t have even made the finals. Great leader and champion bloke who went out white and came in green every day in the field.
What are your hobbies?
I now play bagpipes in Sydney Thistle Highland pipe band and St George Sutherland Scottish pipe band.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
I know the worst was Reidy saying “eating’s cheating” every Saturday night. The best might have been “don’t listen to Reidy” I just didn’t heed it enough.
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
I heard Dirk Welham once say that scoring runs gets easier after 5 o’clock. Trouble was I obviously didn’t listen, I once got caught behind on the last ball of the first over in a district match v’s Lithgow for 20.
I think you can use that in business and life too. Don’t play the big shots too early. Play straight, let them go if you have to, and be there later in the day. I’ve just racked up my 50 in life, so hoping to make it to tea, then come out after tea and see if Dirks advice was any good.
