“On the Couch with Sean Pietersz”


Well, well, well… Look who’s on the couch with me. Welcome mate.

SP: Thanks Wokka.  Great to see you.  Does everyone know why your nickname is Wokka?


Ha, ha, ha! Leave the questions to me big fella?

You know how this works SP. I ask the questions and you stretch the truth a bit. First cab of the rank… How’s fatherhood treating you?

SP: Brilliant.  Miller is a bundle of joy.  She is now 8 ½ months. I must admit I was a little overwhelmed at the start but it’s amazing how, as a parent you learn how to adapt. Bridie is an amazing mother and always knows what to do.  Miller is growing up quick and by the feedback we have received from the nurses at her monthly check ups, she is going to be one tall girl… Surprisingly!
 
And Brides (Bridie being Sean’s wife)?

SP: Bridie is doing really well.  She is a natural when it comes to being a mum.  She is so organised and very relaxed.  
 

Onto the cricket side of things… What’s this season been like for you mate?

SP: Really good this year.  I have enjoyed my cricket and not being coach this year allows me to work on my own game.  I have had a consistent year with the bat and ball.  As a team, we have been successful thus far in reaching the statewide semi-finals in the one day competition and the T20 competition.  We still have two rounds remaining in the regular season and should finish 2nd on the ladder which will give us an ideal chance of making the final.
 

What’s it been like to play State 2nd XI cricket for two states?

SP: Surreal!  My dream was always to play first class cricket for Victoria, and to get there you need to go through the 2nd XI first.  To play for the Vic 2nd XI was really enjoyable and to end up playing about 6 games is something that I will always remember. Unfortunately I didn’t make the next level, however I didn’t leave any stone unturned and gave it my all on every occasion whether that be game day, training day or any other day.  
When we moved to Tasmania for work opportunities, I had actually given up all hope on playing the next level and considered not even playing cricket anymore.  In my second season at club level, I surprisingly got a call up and have played 3 games for the Tas 2nd XI since.  
 
It’s probably fair to say that although my heart is always with Victoria, I actually felt more comfortable and enjoyed my time more in the Tas 2nd XI environment.


Do you want to tell the HCC faithful about the time the Tasmanian Head Coach gave you a buzz about your call up to the Tasmanian 2nd XI squad?

SP: I had actually been speaking with Tim Coyle (Tasmania Head Coach) on and off for a while as we were discussing the possibility of me playing cricket in Hobart and he had also been following my progress through the year in club cricket and representative games etc.  
 
It was in early January that I got a call from the Tasmania chairman of selectors, asking me whether I can play against the QLD 2nd XI at Bellerive.  I didn’t have to think about it as the answer of “yes” came out before he could even let me know of the other details.  Their reasoning for my selection was performance based and that they needed to ensure that should there be further injuries that there was a ready made player that could slot in and someone to bowl economically. They also wanted to see whether I could physically get through a 4 day game and also assist their younger bowlers coming through this competition.
 
I was totally shocked by the call as I had not even contemplated playing that level again considering my last game was in 2005.  
 
 
Did you ever think that when Juz (Justin Box), you and I were playing cricket together in the basin (across the road to our main oval) back in the late 80’s that any of us would kick on like you have?

SP: Ha, is the basin still there?  I used to hate playing there as it felt like it was always 5 degrees colder that it actually was!  
I wouldn’t say that I have kicked on. As I mentioned, when you’re young you always aspire to play at the highest level so I am sure you, Juz and I had this in the back of our minds.  
 
Juz was by far a stand out player in the junior competition.  He was the biggest and strongest kid at the time and was an extremely atheletic wicket keeper also. Gee, he could hit a ball.
 
As for you Wokka, you were such a naturally gifted batsman.  You had all the shots in the book.  
 
I couldn’t pin point it to one particular instance, but I know that I had some really good supporters in family, friends and team mates who guided and assisted me along the way.  All I ever wanted to do was continually improve and I always did extra work in order to give myself every opportunity.


What was your highlight when playing for the mighty Dales?

SP: Winning the under 16 premiership was good however back then you don’t realise how special premierships are because I have since not played in a grand final in any grade of cricket.  
 
The fun times were by far the highlight. Just the family nature of the club was outstanding and the time and effort the club puts into young kids, and especially myself when I was there was very memorable.
 
 
Did you ever play seniors for the Dales?

SP: I think I may have played a few games in the 5th grade in the afternoon after a junior game but that was about it.
 

Do you want to start, mmmm maybe next season?

SP: I think I still have one more District season left in me mate so after that we’ll discuss it further.
 

You want to hear a funny story?

SP: Yeah, sure… I think?
 

Did you know that when the Prez (Tom Anderson) was calling “Sean” up for the Head Coaches role back in 2007, he actually meant to call Sean Pietersz and not Sean de Kretser? Needless to say that his looks said it all when I rocked up to the Coaches interview…

SP: Ha, brilliant!  I can see how Tom could have got us mixed up; I was a bowler, you weren’t. You were a batter, I wasn’t. I am tall, and… well you are… let’s say shorter.  Luckily you have had some success at the club and they know who you are otherwise my name would be mud at HCC.
 
Having said that though, I would always do what I can for the HCC and hope to get there more often when I stop playing cricket so I can personally thank them for the time they put into me.
 

Easy on the short jokes mate... Tom and Tooley get a bit sensitive about that sort of thing around HCC.

Sean, you mentioned earlier that you have left no stone unturned. From my limited time at Camberwell, I saw first hand how you prepared for a game. Can you give the HCC lads an insight on what your preparation would be like heading into a game?

SP: Some people say that I was too intense and too regimented but for me it was a routine. It started with recovery on the Sunday to get rid of the soreness after the game. I would either go to the pool for a swim or walk in the water or jump on the bike for a ride. Monday was a day off. Wednesday & Friday would be a weights session, which I did to maintain strength during the season which was something which was very beneficial. Tuesdays and Thursdays was cricket training so my focus was to ensure that I trained for the approaching game i.e. if it was a one-dayer then I would train as if I was in one-day mode.  I would also work on technical things like bowling action, batting technique and plenty of fielding. Game day consisted of an early rise and a light weights session to loosen up the muscles for the game. I would always arrive early to the ground and take my time in getting ready, thinking about who we are playing, who are their good players and what I need to do to ensure I was ready to play. I did have one superstition mate and that was that I never checked the pitch before a game.


Sean, the club is eagerly looking forward to finals action this season, with a possible 4 out of 6 senior sides in the running coming into Day 2 of the last round. Even though you haven’t won a GF since your time with the Dales, you have played in plenty of finals cricket. Have you got any advice for the playing group, especially our young pups?

SP: Don't try to change things too much as a team or as an individual because you are in the finals because you are good enough. However, some fine tuning might be required i.e. extra throwdowns to work on a certain shot, or extra fielding etc. Always have a plan as a team and individually so you are not going out into the game and not knowing what role everyone plays. Be prepared for any situation because you will need to adapt. But most of all enjoy it and make sure that you are satisfied with they way you have prepared and did everything you possibly could have so there is no regrets.


As per normal, it’s been a pleasure chatting with you mate. I hope you continue to motor home towards the pointy end of the year and hopefully end up with some silverware! Cheers SP.

SP: Thanks Wokka. It would be nice. And good luck to you and all the grades at HCC.