Luke Pich will line up for MACC for the 400th time this Sunday in the Vets. Luke still plays regular 5th XI games for MACC, but is unavailable for the Saturday fixture this weekend. We asked Jeff Mollison, a close friend and Mont Albert stalwart to share some memories for the occasion.
“Luke and I played football at Box Hill Adelphians in 1981 together with Gruey.
He was a talented mid field player, before he had a serious accident on his bike.
Even though he missed a couple of years of footy, when he came back from his horrific injury, he was as determined as ever.
His training effort over the years was amazing. Through determined efforts he still managed to force his way back into the Adelphian seniors for a number of games.
I still see the dedication and effort that he still puts in at cricket training.
He has never made any excuses about his injury. When he goes out on the field, he gives his all. I have seen him take some amazing catches.
Luke joined Mont Albert in 1994/95, after I tried to get him to the club for a number of years. He has had a number of seasons when he starred with the ball. He never complains if someone drops a catch off his bowling. Luke did not get much of a regular bowl until about 2004-05. After that his bowling kept on improving. His best season was 2009-10 when he grabbed 23 wickets at an average of 10.35, with best figures of 5/10. Last season Luke grabbed his 200th wicket.
Luke is sometimes hard on himself, if he runs himself out when batting. But he really values his wicket and when he sets his mind on it, can be hard to dismiss. He has made 2,178 runs with a highest score of 63 in a semi-final when he guided a 10 man side into the Grand Final.
Luke is a passionate Collingwood man, and we have regularly gone to the MCG, over the years to watch our beloved Pies. We are both hoping to watch a Grand Final together in the members when our Magpies salute.
Kind Regards,
Jeff