Mate remembered … The late Sean Wolfe will be honoured at a Twenty20 match at Dempster Park on Saturday. 56959
By Michael Esposito
SUNSHINE Cricket Club and Broadmeadows will play a Twenty20 night match at Dempster Park to raise funds for the family of Sean Wolfe, who tragically died on the field in May after suffering an asthma attack while playing for North Sunshine.
Wolfe was a loved and lovable character in the sub-district cricket competition, and according to his friends, a sometimes temperamental bloke who wisely took his frustrations out on the field.
“That’s where he let any anger go. If you were batsmen you were in trouble,” said his good mate Daniel Bailey.
Wolfe was a long-serving Broadmeadows cricketer who joined the Sunshine Cricket Club last season.
“He had a massive heart, he would do anything for anyone,” said Bailey, who postponed retirement to play for Sunshine this season – it was his way of honouring his mate.
Bailey, who knew Wolfe for about 15 years, still remembers the first time he came across the talented cricketer, who was the VSDCA’s third XI player of the year in 2003/04.
“I played against him when I played for Werribee. The first time I met him we bowled Broadmeadows out for 26 and 27, but he opened the bat both times and carried his bat, I think he made 13 and 10,” Bailey said.
“And he’s given everyone a serve on his side and I’m thinking this bloke’s alright, this bloke’s got a lot of heart.
“I didn’t see him again for six months and we played against them again, and he made 30 or 40 and took a few wickets. We were a very good side then and he was just amazing and I thought I wouldn’t mind playing with him one day.”
Bailey eventually went to Broadmeadows to play more games of first XI cricket, but it wasn’t until the year after when an injury prevented him from bowling that he became close friends with Wolfe.
Forced to play in the threes, Bailey said it was the best fun he’s ever had playing cricket, and was in awe of Wolfe’s exploits with the bat and ball.
“He was just belting blokes all over the place. I never seen a bloke hit the ball in any level as clean as he hit it,” Bailey said. “He was just unbelievable. He was a really good player.”
The tribute match will take place under lights at Dempster park at about 7.30pm on Saturday. There will be raffles, a spit, sausage sizzle and entertainment. All proceeds will go to Wolfe’s family. Wolfe is survived by fiancee Jacqui and three children Jacob, Josh and Joel.
