Just like that, in a blink of an eye, the AFL 2021 season is nearly over.

For many supporters not witnessing their side play finals, it can be a strong feeling of melancholy, as many patiently wait till the first ball of the 2020/21 Cricket Season is bowled on September 11th.

As the Cricket/Australian Rules combination has been a bubbling passion for many weekend battlers over the last 100 years, I have decided to look at both sports together, with a desire to celebrate the talented, year-round champions of the past in a dream XII.

Due to a wide range of talented sportsmen, I have made sure all these cricketers played 30 or more games of Australian Rules. This team on paper could give any current international team a run for their money.

Included we have a five-time premiership coach, a triple Brownlow medalist who captain-coached four flags, two further Brownlow Medal winners, a goalkicking legend who won the VFL/AFL goalkicking award (John Coleman Medal) and five more players who have won a Premiership; and that’s just their footy!

I am prepared to state that this team could hold their own against any international side currently in 2021. They could also win you a premiership or two.

4. Roy Park 1892-1947 (Wicket Keeper)

Taking the number four spot as a batsman who kept part-time and was a dangerous forward who played out of the goal-square at only 165cm and 56kgs is Roy Park.

Park played 44 games for University from 1912-1914, with not one of those games seeing the Students win. Proving how good Park was, he kicked 111 goals for University. Now, I know what you’re thinking, some players have kicked more than 111 in one season, but let me tell you, Park kicked 111 out of University’s 278 goals between 1912 to 1914.

He won the VFL leading goalkicker in 1913, even though the Student’s finished 0-18. Park only played 39 first-class matches due to his busy schedule as a doctor, yet accumulated 2514-runs at 39 including nine-centuries.

Despite enjoying a decorated career in almost every field he turned his hand to, Park will always be infamously remembered for being dismissed for a first-ball duck in his only test appearance.

As the legend goes, his loving wife missed his test career by nervously dropping her knitting in the stands before he faced his first ball.

44-games, 111-goals for University (1912-1914)

13-games, 35-goals for Melbourne (1915)

1x VFL leading goal-kicker (1913)

Tests Runs Ave HS 100s 50s Wkts Ave B/B 5-W 10-W
1 0 0.00 0 - - - - - - -
FC Runs Ave HS 100s 50s Wkts Ave B/B 5-W 10-W
36 2517 39.28 228 9 10 3 46.33 1/15 - -
Vic Prem Runs Ave HS 100s 50s Wkts Ave B/B 5-W 10-W
159 5878 36.66 209 13 33 45 24.88 5/27 1 -