Murphy, who clinched his third Warrnambool and District Cricket Association cricketer of the year on Wednesday, is planning a wedding with fiance Jordyn Billings.

The 27-year-old passed Brierly-Christ Church's captaincy reins to Matthew Love in the winter and hasn't looked back.

He found suiting up without an official role "different" at first but thrived, leading the association in batting average (45.75) and bowling aggregate (37 wickets).

Murphy held off West Warrnambool's Ben Threlfall and Woodford's Nick Butters to clinch the prize.

"It was certainly different to begin with but I've been kept busy planning the wedding, which is happening in April," Murphy told The Standard.

"I haven't worried about what I should do here and there on the field. I've been able to get back to simple cricket.

"I've been concentrating on my own game and not worrying so much on those exterior things."

Murphy is a self-professed thinker. Prior to this season - with captaincy and coaching duties at the forefront - cricket dominated his Friday night brainwaves.

Love's arrival at Brierly-Christ Church eased the burden. For the first time in more than five seasons, Murphy could focus on his game alone.

"Unfortunately I am (a thinker)," he laughed.

"You'd sit up all night, thinking about where the field is going to be, who is going to bowl.

"It's been that little bit nicer not worrying about it as much and just watching some TV on a Friday."

He thanked Billings for her support.

East Warrnambool YCW's Weranga Bulathwala, who secured the division two cricketer of the year award, said the Jones Oval club had made Warrnambool "just like home".

The Sri Lankan star, who commutes to Warrnambool from Melbourne each week, produced a bowling average of just 5.71 en route to the gong. Wesley-CBC's Daniel Threlfall secured division three's top honour, adding to the Beavers' third-grade premiership.

Two under 17 grand final combatants - West Warrnambool's Fletcher Cozens and Port Fairy's Max Green - took out the colts prize.

Woodford's Liam Burgess was recognised as the association's brightest under 21 player after a breakout division one season while Brierly-Christ Church's Campbell Love was rookie of the year.

South West's Annabelle Glossop was the under 17 female player of the year.

Koroit took out the spirit of cricket award and Brierly-Christ Church lifted the club championship.

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