JOHN ‘Jakes’ McDonald would still pack his cricket whites in his 80s – just in case.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There was no way he would let Grassmere field a side with 10 players.
Grassmere Cricket Association players – past and present – reflected on that unwaivering passion and dedication following McDonald’s death on Wednesday, aged 88.
His nephew, current Meerkat Peter Sedgley, said McDonald’s impact over a 70-plus year association with the league was profound.
McDonald was there when the GCA was formed in 1945 and remained a constant in an ever-changing world, playing injured, winning premierships and coaching juniors for more than 37 seasons.
“He was just passionate about the game and it wouldn’t matter if it was his team,” Sedgley said.
“In juniors, coaches used to umpire games and if he saw an opposition kid not batting correctly, he’d point it out to him in a quiet manner away from everyone.
“He just liked to see kids improve.”
Sedgley felt that impact first-hand, labelling his uncle “a legend”. McDonald would pick him up and take him to training – a role reversed in his twilight years when Sedgley would ensure he could watch his beloved Meerkats train and play.
“Apart from my Mum and Dad, he was probably the most influential person on me growing up,” he said.
“He was my coach and taught me everything I know.”
John McCosh was well aware of McDonald’s cricket knowledge when he lured the father-of-three to Mailors Flat as coach for the 1979-80 season.
His touch turned a social club which struggled to notch victories into a premiership team in the space of a season.
“It was somewhat of a surprise having a McDonald leaving the Grassmere club because they were synonomous with it,” McCosh said.
“It was one of the better grand finals. We made 450 and Hawkesdale made 440-odd. It went down to the last hour on the fourth day.
“I’ve played in grand finals since then but nothing compares to what we were able to achieve then.”
Kevin White first met McDonald in 1958, going on to become long-time teammates at Grassmere and Mailors Flat.
“He started in 1945 and you could probably count the days he’s missed on one hand," White said of a man he described as one of his best mates.
“A couple of years ago he was still bringing his whites to the cricket and if we were short he’d sub-field.”
GCA president Jason Elliott said McDonald, who is survived by his wife of 64 years Margery and children Lyn, David and Peter, “transcended generations”.