For almost three decades, Brett has been a Jet in more ways than one.
But when he suits up for Northerners’ D-grade outfit against Pine Lodge on Saturday, the fearsome all-rounder will break history as he becomes the first player to reach 300 games for the club.
Starting out as a junior at Northerners in 1997, Brett has donned the whites in every possible grade Cricket Shepparton has to offer since his debut.
However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the shirt.
“There’s a lot of good times and the people around the club are what makes you hang around,” Brett said.
“A lot of people put their hands up and help out and that type of thing.
“We’ve been pretty successful as a club over the years; we’ve won a few flags and we’ve lost a few but our juniors are pretty strong. It’s just a good place to be around.”
Amid a sparkling resume that includes 4762 runs and 302 wickets, Brett can comfortably say he’s done what many have dreamed about.
Late last year, he pulled off a feat so ridiculous it sounds made up: notching eight wickets without conceding a run while single-handedly obliterating a batting line-up.
Sure, it may have been against an under-strength Murchison opposition, but as they say, you can only play who’s in front of you.
Even to this day, Brett doesn’t quite know how to explain it.
“I don’t know — you turn up to cricket as another day as such; some days you have a day out and some days you don’t,” he said.
“That day obviously will probably never be repeated again by myself, but it was just one of those days that everything sort of went right against a bit of a depleted side.”
Brett isn’t just about the numbers.
He’s been the heart and soul of Northerners for years, coaching juniors, leading by example, and proving that class is permanent.
With the Jets’ D-graders sitting in second with two rounds until finals, can Brett guide his side to the flag this season?
“You’d always love to hope so,” Brett said.
“It’s always a funny game in finals cricket; you can get in there and you can be the best side all year and then it only takes a couple of hiccups and it all gets taken away from you pretty quickly.
“Our two top grades are both sitting in a pretty good position so hopefully on the days we perform.”
Before the pointy end arrives, however, Brett has a major milestone to celebrate.
He admits the magnitude of what he’s about to achieve “hasn’t really sunk in yet”, so when the game against Pine Lodge is wrapped up on Saturday, he knows one thing is for certain.
“I’ll enjoy a cold beer after the game,” he said with a laugh.
So, as he prepares to step on to the oval for game 300, it’s clear that whether it’s A-grade, D-grade, or anywhere in between, Brett still owns the game.
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