Sport
9 January, 2026
Unbeaten Bulldogs put perfect record on the Line
Avoca will look to remain unbeaten in the Maryborough and District Cricket Association A-Reserve season tomorrow, hosting Carisbrook at Avoca Recreation Reserve.
Avoca returned to the cricket pitch this season following a two-year hiatus, and the undefeated run has surprised club president Cameron Holland, who said they have exceeded expectations.
“We have absolutely smashed expectations, and to be unbeaten at this stage is a fantastic effort, and we are absolutely stoked with it,” he said.
“There have been a lot of different players standing up at various stages. Nathan Coghlan is one who has had a great season to date.
“He is not known for his batting, but he has stood up when needed, and then we have had a lot of blokes chipping in with 20s and 30s, as well as taking wickets, and it’s good to see, as in previous seasons we have usually had one gun bowler and one gun batter.”
Despite the unbeaten run, Holland knows that in cricket anything can happen.
“You can’t get ahead of yourself in this sport as things can change quickly,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say we are red hot favourites for the premiership as there is plenty of cricket left to play and everything can change at the click of the fingers.”
James Collicoat has been a standout with bat and ball. With the ball, he has taken 16 wickets at an average of 10.31, and with the bat, has scored the most runs for Avoca, amassing 208 at an average of 41.6, and is ten runs behind leader Ben Robertson from Maryborough.
Tyson Gray has also bowled well, taking 12 wickets with an average of 8.25.
“James has surprised me a lot, and he is bowling and batting well,” Holland said.
“We have had Glen [Cosgriff] come into the side as a bowler, who has stood up. Brad Palmer has played well and hasn’t been rewarded with wickets, and has had a few other blokes play their role, which has contributed to the success we have had.”
Avoca will be without Nathan Coghlan and James Collicoat tomorrow, and with the depth Avoca has, Holland is confident that whoever comes in, they will play their role.
“I hope everyone has had a good freshen up, and despite missing those two players, we have blokes that are ready to go,” Holland said.
“At our training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we consistently have approximately eleven blokes there, so we won’t stress about having the numbers.
“That is the beauty of this season, that everyone wants to play and we haven’t been able to slot them in."
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