Season 2024/25 Mick Mitchell Award Night and Hall of Fame Induction

On Friday night the club held the annual Mick Mitchell Awards Ceremony at Windy Hill for season 2024/25.

The night was extra special with the awarding of Life Membership to long term Club President Simon Tobin and the induction of three club legends in Leonard Mullet, John Swanson and Clint McKay into the club’s Hall of Fame.

The coveted Mick Mitchell Award was won by All Rounder Paramvir Singh in a season were he scored 355 runs at 27.31 and took 21 wickets 21.38 across the 2nd and 3rd XI.

Paramvir Singh (right) won the coveted Mick Mitchell Award, he was presented his award by Club Legend Geoff Tobin. (left) and the daughter of Mick Mitchell, Amy Warner.

The club was thrilled to offer Life Membership  to long serving Club President Simon Tobin. Simon has been involved with the Essendon Cricket Club since his childhood back in the 1970’s watching his father Geoff Tobin (fellow Life Member) play. His earliest official role at Windy Hill was operating the old scoreboard in the 1970s as a boy. Once old enough he played for the club in two stints in the 1980s and 90s. Simon took the reins as Club President ahead of the 2009/10 Season and has held the position since. He has worked tirelessly and passionately in the role  and his life membership is thoroughly deserved. Congratulations Simon.

Club President Simon Tobin (right) was presented his Life Membership by his father and fellow life member Geoff Tobin (left)

The Club was also thrilled to induct the following legends into our Hall of Fame.

Leonard Mullet: Leonard played with the club from 1917/18 until his retirement after the 1933/34 season. He was a slow-medium bowler who spun the ball a little and a tailend batsman. He was club captain and won the season bowling award a staggering nine times. He has the third most wickets in the club's history and was awarded club champion twice in his career.

Leonard also played six first-class cricket matches for Victoria between 1920 and 1929.

Leonard Mullet in action

John Swanson: John played with the club between 1962/63 and 1972/73. He played 29 first-class cricket matches for Victoria between 1965/66 and 1970/71. He also played baseball for Victoria between 1964 and 1975 and Australia. He won the club batting award 6 times. John was also a dual premiership player for the Bomber's playing in both the 1963/64 and 1969/70 Premiership XIs. During his time at the Bombers he played 129 matches scoring 4284 runs at 35. He scored 7 centuries with a high score of 156 not out. John also took 129 wickets for the club.

Clint McKay: Clint played for the Club between 2002/3 and 2018/19 playing 157 1st XI matches. During that time he was Australian Test Cricketer No 412 playing one test against the West Indies in Perth in 2009. Clint played one Test for Australia, 59 one-day internationals and six T20 internationals. He also played 85 first-class matches for Victoria and Leicestershire. He was club captain between 2009/10 and his retirement in 2018/19.

John Swanson, Leonard Mullet (deceased) and Clint Mckay were inducted into the Club's Hall of Fame.

The full list of award winners can be seen below.

Mick Mitchell Award - Best Player as Voted by his Peers: Paramvir Singh

1st XI Awards

John Swanson Award - Batting Averages: Connor Poulton, 438 runs at 29.20

Keith Kirby Award - Bowling Averages: Nick Mcguane, 19 wickets at 31.42

John Grant Award - Team Champion: Connor Poulton

Nick McGuane receiving the Keith Kirby Award from Senior Coach Ben Fletcher

2nd XI Awards

Steve Sandri Award - Batting Averages : Liam Tobin, 399 runs at 39.90

Ron Marshall Award - Bowling Averages: Nav Rai, 22 wickets at 21.90

Gerald McPhershon Award - Team Champion: Liam Tobin 

3rd XI Awards

Daryl Thiele Award - Batting Averages: Sean Phillips Williams, 394 runs at 39.40

Ron Hare Award - Bowling Averages: Pawan Sharma, 17 wickets at 27.82

Rod Lewis Award - Team Champion: Paramvir Singh

Sean Phillips Williams receiving his award from Tim Branaghan

4th XI Awards

Noel Allanson Award - Batting Averages: Stefan James, 302 runs at 21.57

Gary Body Award - Bowling Averages: Krishna Chandak, 19 wickets at 31.47

Colin Fisk Award - Team Champion: Krishna Chandak

Essendon Cricket Club Team of the Year Season 24/25

Vihanga Fernando

Liam Tobin

Sean Phillips Williams

Connor Poulton

Vanshjot Sandhu

Jarrod Parsons

Jacob Pawlowicz

Luay Miraz

Nav Rai

Nick McGuane

Paawan Sharma

Paramvir Singh

The Season 24/25 Team of the Year

Ian Monks Award - Most Promising Young Player: Luay Miraz

Luay Miraz receiving his award from Senior coach Ben Fletcher

Harry Nunn Award - Best Club Person: Jaspar Wilson-Keir

Popular Clubman Jaspar Wilson Kier was awarded the Harry Nunn Bestclubman Award for Season 24/25.

The club would like to thank all who attended and hope everyone enjoyed their evening.