Xavier Crone and Brayden Stepien helped Carlton to a stunning Victorian Premier Cricket grand final win over Geelong at the Junction Oval on Sunday.
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The three-day final will go down as one of the greatest in Premier Cricket history, with Carlton chasing down Geelong's massive total of 9-409 declared to claim is first premiership since 1980-81.
Former White Hills keeper-batsman Stepien opened the batting and made 22 for the Blues, while former Strathfieldsaye Jets opening bowler Crone took one wicket with the ball and was involved in a cruial partnership with skipper Evan Gulbis late in the run chase.
Gulbis, who made 130 and took six wickets in the preliminary final, backed up with a match-winning 148 not out in the grand final as the Blues finished 7-412 off 138 overs.
"It's an unbelievable feeling... there's nothing like it,'' a jubilant Stepien said.
"To see all the people here from around the club that have been waiting for this flag is unreal.
"I still can't believe that we did it. We've just broken a 37-year drought and it feels amazing."
Crone strode to the crease with the game in the balance at 6-341.
He batted with great maturity and looked in control as he made his way to 19 before he played a hook shot off speedster Jake Reed and was caught on the boundary line.
"It might have looked like I wasn't nervous, but I can tell you I was packing myself,'' Crone said.
"There was a lot pressure out there. I was disappointed not to be there at the end and I felt like I let Evan down a bit.
"I don't think I've middled a ball like that before. Only two balls before that (Geelong skipepr) Eamonn Vines moved the fielder about four metres to his right. I hit it straight down his throat. It was good captaincy and bad batting on my behalf."
Crone admitted his mind wandered back to his last BDCA game with Strathfieldsaye where the Jets lost a thriller to Strathdale on the back of a match-winning partnership by Ben and Jake DeAraugo.
"As soon as the game got close I was thinking back to that moment, but I'm so glad I'm on the right side of the ledger this time around,'' Crone said.
"The work that the club has put in to embrace myself and Brayden and other guys that have joined the club has been unbelievable.
"I can't speak higher of the people around the club that do everything to make sure we can perform at our best on the park."
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