Horsham Cricket Association president Justtin Combe said the association had already been exploring the concept of an all-star match.
“With association cricket we struggled to get players to commit to travelling away on a Sunday to play association matches in places like Warrnambool or Mount Gambier,” he said.
“We thought we had enough teams and players within our association to do something in-house and hopefully revitalise our association.
“We thought it would maybe get blokes keen again to do the association stuff – this could be the first step towards that.
“We got buy-in from all the players – I don’t think anyone was unavailable or decided not to play, which is great.”
Combe said the association quickly realised an all-star format would present an excellent opportunity to raise money for fire-affected communities.
“It’s probably the least we could do. We’re hoping we raise a good bit of money on Sunday and contribute to the cause.
“There’s no target that we’re aiming for – every dollar we raise is a bonus.
“We’ve had meat donated and a few sponsors reach out to us and put their hands in their pockets. All of that has been greatly appreciated.”
Among the sponsors supporting the match are MIXX FM, 3WM and The Weekly Advertiser, who will place eight signs around the ground, donating $200 to the total raised each time a batsman hits one of the signs. They will also donate $200 for every catch taken by a crowd member.
MIXX FM, 3WM and The Weekly Advertiser general manager Brendan O’Loughlin said the radio station would also broadcast the match live, hosted by Hugh Dougherty and Grant Kuchel.
“Hughie and Kuges will broadcast from 3.30pm, and prizes will be given away for those in the crowd who catch a ball, in addition to the $200 donation,” he said.
“The radio announcers will be doing interviews with cricket players and captains during the broadcast, and possibly other locals and officials involved in the firefighting effort.”
Combe said in addition to fundraising for a great cause, the match would also be a showcase of the best local cricketers, with the addition of several new teams to the association this season adding to the intrigue.
“In previous seasons we’ve played against some of these blokes in association matches against the associations these new teams have come from,” he said.
“It’s good that they’re all joining forces now and we’re all on the same side.”
Teams for Sunday’s match are –
North: West Wimmera, Brad Alexander, Nathan Alexander, Mitch Dahlenburg, Josh Lees; Donald-Jeffcott, Koby Westerland, Cooper Anderson; Horsham Tigers, Tyler Puls; Lubeck-Murtoa, Shannon Reddie, Cam Newell; St Mary’s, Aiden Keys; Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills, Lachie McGinniss, Isaac McPherson.
South: Swifts-Great Western, Zac Marrow, Aiden Graveson, Max McMahon; Noradjuha-Toolondo, Matt Combe, Tony Caccaviello, Jamie Byrne; Laharum, Chaminda Gamage, Dan Griffiths, Jason Kannar; Colts, Josh Colbert, Joey Nagorcka, Jay Couch.
The entire January 21, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
