Nunawading CC are saddened to advise of the passing of club legend George Dolan at the age of 92 last night.
George joined Nunawading in 1956 and immediately played in our First XI where he played until 1971-72. Nuna made the finals in every year of his time in the Firsts for 6 premierships and 3 Runners-up. He played over 250 games in 28 seasons of cricket.
George was a big part of our dominating era from 1957 to 1990 where we won 11 Shield Grade premierships and played in 16 Grand Finals and only missed the finals twice.
His memorable moments at the Club included:
– Making a century in his second game
– Captaining a First XI premiership side (in 1968-69). He made a 2nd innings century in a score of 203 to win with 8 wickets down.
– Making a 50 on his 50th birthday
– Making a double century (203) at the age of 44
– Captaining the Shield 3rds to a flag in his last game at the age of 53. George scored 58 with a broken finger and hit the winning runs, again with 8 wickets down
George won the club’s batting averages in three out of four years from 1963-64 to 1966-67.
Such were George’s gifts that he also won the Mitcham Bowling Club’s Championship at the tender age of 71. George played in SIX First XI premierships: 1957/58 (the first ever), 1958/59, 1960/61, 1956/66, 1966/67 and 1968/69. He captained the 65/66 and 68/69 sides.
George made a match winning century in the 57/58 Grand Final to ensure we won our first Shield Grade premiership.
Stats wise, George scored over 9000 runs, the most in Club history, made 57 50’s and 11 centuries with a top score of 203 (one of only 5 players to score over 200 in Club history) and averaged over 32 (very close to the top in club history). He played in Six First XI premierships
At the end of his cricket career, George captained the fourths which was full of young players, and he was a father-figure at the Club where the young blokes, including his son Steve, often needed to be reminded how to behave properly. He was a great mentor and leader and immensely respected by all at the Club not only for his cricket prowess but for his integrity and friendship.
It is a sad day for Nuna as we say farewell to a true legend of our Club, a great cricketer and even better bloke.
Vale George