CELEBRATING OUR RETIRING CHAMPIONS – Andrew Cullen

YCCC Highlights:
158 Games
8 x Premiership Player – 2 x Premiership Captain
4,360 runs – HS 160
4,081 balls bowled
94 wickets at an average of 24.93
Best Figures: 4/14

Bakes on Andrew Cullen:
I can honestly say that I’m honoured to be giving an insight into one of the best all round cricketers that Yarraville Club has seen.

When Andrew Cullen came to the club as a young bloke from Footscray, I was amazed to hear that he was considering not playing anymore. The amount of natural talent that he possessed was always going to shine through and he would eventually become one of the great leaders and players our club has seen.
With a baseball background, it was clear to see that we had just gained a player that had speed, strength, agility and a mind that always wanted to learn and get the most out of himself and his game, both on and off the field. It also meant that we got a player that played in front of himself, but I’ll touch on that later.

A thinker of the game was the thing that we were lucky to have possessed.
Fair to say that all these wonderful attributes, contributed to a club premiership captain, a 1st XI bowling champion and one of the best fielders I’ve seen.
Mentally, one of the strongest I’ve seen. He soon realised that he could match it with the best, and at that point, he had that self belief, to get any job done. And mentally, it was evident how strong he was because any time his team was struggling, he’d throw himself in the firing line and show how it needs to be done. I was lucky enough to share this with him on many occasions. He would lead from the front, and simply get it done.

We always knew when Boof was in. The bat would stop being 2 foot in front of the pad, back to a text book position. That was the time we all relaxed and watched with pride, for a kid that had worked a way to be one of the best in the comp, and take on the best in the comp….And succeed.

He was groomed to captain. It was a real struggle for him but I know he loved it. And there was never a situation that he couldn’t think through and come up with the right answer.
His dedication to the club and team mates/club mates, has always been 2nd to none. He knew the importance in success off the field and helped drive it… at all times. Even when family started to change his priorities, he still made the effort to make sure he was attending and teaching the younger group that this is what’s needed.

Team meetings at his house became a norm, because he knew that keeping his team close and tight, has a big impact on performance. So he and his lovely wife Jaimie, had not problems putting on bonfires to ensure, we were the tight family that we are.

For someone that was going to give it away. I’m so glad and grateful that I got to see a champion young boy become a champion man that I forever call a mate, a premiership brother. And not many can say that we’ve both won premierships under each other. Something I hold dear, knowing that years before I knew he could do it.

Family man, team man, great mate. And the best supporter group going around in the Cullen clan. And a dad that showed us how to catch. Greg has to get a mention!!
One team mate that I know has so much more, but is doing what he does best……. putting others before him to make sure that his new team, is the best ever.
It’s short lived but you’ve managed to suck every drop of success out of your career. And deserve it all.
Congratulations on a fantastic career with Yarraville Club. It is one that many would only dream of.

- Bakes

On behalf of the club, committee and all of its supporters, we want to say thank you to Boof for everything he has given for our club. A true gentleman on and off the field. We wish you, Jaimie, Adeline and Florence the very best on your next adventure, and we hope to see you all soon!