ADCA 2024-25: Railways star import Joe Stanley cleans up with three major A-grade awards and bowling trophies

Star Englishman and Railways vice-captain Joe Stanley was recognised as the stand-out player in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association at its annual awards ceremony on March 15. Stanley won all three major A-grade awards while also collecting two bowling trophies and the top under-21 gong in a stellar 2024-25 season. The 19-year-old won the umpires and captains player of the year awards and the Mike Storm Memorial all-rounder of the year on 906 points. He took 30 wickets at an average of 11.63 to win the bowling aggregate and average trophies. Capping all that talented import won the Syd Harper Award as the best under-21 cricketer in the competition for the second season in a row. In Albany for his second year to play cricket from the UK, Stanley said being part of regional cricket in WA has made him a batter player in many aspects. “It’s definitely made my cricket better, but I think it’s more just made me better as a bloke,” he said. “I want to help the team win and try and do my best and then if it comes off and I win a few trophies that’s good as well, but at the end of the day it’s about playing with the team regardless of the awards at the end of it.” The Tigers had a terrific season finishing on top of the ladder but were outclassed by Mt Barker in the one-day grand final on Saturday. Despite his outstanding two years abroad Stanley said he’s not planning on heading back to WA for another season with Tigers, but is nonetheless keen for a future in cricket in Australia. “Never say never, but at the moment I’m not planning on being back for next season,” he said. “The next time I do come back I want to live here for a year and see if I can get sponsored and live over here for a full year, but probably not for a few years when I’m 21 or 22, stay for the winter and see if I like WA in the winter as well. “If I do head back, I’ll try and make it a full time stay.” Stanley has made a significant contribution to both the Tigers but also Albany and Districts at representative level and said playing so much cricket over the two seasons has been a highlight. “Everyone came back and improved and then improved again this season, and we got first on the ladder this year and we were unlucky to lose the grand final but that happens, just to get there was great for us,” he said. “Winning country week and the country cup last year and playing again this year were also big moments for me, I got to play to test myself a bit and play at that higher level.” Royals star Mitch Green took home both batting awards for the A-grade after making 577 runs at an average of 52.45. Coen Marwick was recognised as ADCA representative cricketer of the year while Stanley (five wickets) and Devon Jefferies (six dismissals) were acknowledged with senior country week awards In the B-grade competition Denmark’s Matt Burton take home the captains player of the year and all-rounder of the year with 718 points, as well as the batting aggregate award on 558 runs. Manypeaks youngster Riley Wood was named umpires player of the year. The batting average went to Campbell Robertson with an outstanding average of 262 having been dismissed only once, Mt Barker’s Todd Hammond picked up bowling aggregate with 25 wickets and Peaks’ Wade Anning won the bowling average with 17 wickets at 9.06. In the C-grade competition Railways’ Jordan Draper was named captains player of the year and Manypeaks’ George Sippe won the umpires player of the year. Albany Sharks in their first season had the all-rounder of the year in Mikael Philipps on 510 points and he also won the bowling aggregate with 24 wickets. Peaks’ Chris Liddle of Manypeaks took out the batting aggregate with 395 runs, Collingwood Park’s Craig Tonkin claimed the batting average with 282 runs at an average of 94 average and bowling average went to Denmark’s Graeme King with 15 wickets at an average of 5.2.