This year, 23 local sporting legends are being inducted to the honour roll and junior honour roll categories in the Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame.
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The News is featuring stories on each of the inductees in the lead-up to the induction ceremony on August 16.
Today, News journalist Liam Nash speaks to cricket star Rohan Larkin, who is being inducted to the honour roll.
While cricket is widely regarded as a team sport, it was the mental contest at either end of the wicket that Rohan Larkin recalls as what hooked him into game.
“I just enjoyed the competition between the batsman and bowler, the excitement of a one versus one battle,” he said.
Armed with soft hands and a knack for scalping wickets, the wily all-rounder climbed the summit of local cricket in Shepparton and decided to ditch the countryside for a shot at the big smoke.
But like all good sports stories, Larkin was dished out a serving of luck along the way.
Representing Shepparton at Country Week as a young man, Larkin and teammate Bryan Doyle were noticed by Victorian Premier Cricket club Carlton while the side was having a training session.
“We were quite fortunate actually, we were playing down there for Vic Country and we must have done all right,” he said.
“I think I made a few runs and Doyley must have taken a few wickets.
“The game happened to be on a Tuesday, which turned out to be the same day as Carlton training and they asked us to come and train after that.”
But Larkin did far more than just train.
Across the span of 10 years Larkin played more than 170 games for Carlton and Footscray, racking up a remarkable 6317 runs at an average of 42.68.
His guile and guts propelled him into the next echelon of the game as he was called into the Victorian Bushrangers ranks as cap number 760 – 25 caps on from legendary leggy Shane Warne.
Playing at the pinnacle of cricket nationally, Larkin had the opportunity to play against international touring teams as well as becoming captain-coach of the Footscray Cricket Club for two years.
However, with home calling at the turn of the millennium Larkin decided to head back to his roots.
While the coaching position at Central Park-St Brendan’s wasn’t available at the time, Larkin led the lads at Stanhope to their first flag in 35 years during a short stint at the club.
But as soon as the job became free at Deakin Reserve, the club welcomed back one of its favourite sons and the rest as they say is history.
Larkin steered the Tigers to a staggering nine Haisman Shield premierships throughout his term at the helm and was awarded life membership in 2012.
“Bryan and I made the decision to come back to Central Park to try and give back, but we always said that we could never repay the debt owed to the club.”
But among a glimmering career studded with milestones, Larkin says his most cherished moment out on the oval came at the twilight of his journey.
“Playing A-grade out at Tallygaroopna a few years ago, one of my sons was in the field and the other was bowling, and they were encouraging each other out on the oval,” Larkin said.
“That would have to be my happiest time on the field.”
When he finally decided to give his beloved passion away, Larkin admitted a part of him would never be the same.
“There was definitely a void in my life for a little while, not having trainings on Tuesdays and Thursdays after work and playing on the weekend,” he said.
“I think what I miss the most is the hour after a game, just having a laugh and reviewing the match with your mates.”
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