EAGLEHAWK'S Aaron Monro is relishing the good fortune in fixturing that has his 200^th Bendigo District Cricket Association first XI game milestone being played on Saturday against White Hills.

For it's at White Hills where half of Monro's BDCA first XI career has been spent.

All-rounder Monro played 98 first XI games for the Demons, before crossing to Eaglehawk for the 2013-14 season, where he has since played a further 101 games.

With football his sporting passion growing up, Monro didn't take up cricket until under-15s at White Hills and had an immediate impact, taking a wicket with the first ball he bowled in a game.

"I had a few mates who played at White Hills and they were short one year and asked me to play, so I had a run, enjoyed it and kept going," Monro said this week.

"I was more into footy when I was a kid. I started playing footy when I was eight and went through until I was about 16 before cricket took over."

Monro made his first XI debut for the Demons in 2004-05.

He had been appointed the Demons' second XI captain that season, but after a dominant all-round performance in round one was elevated into the first XI against Kangaroo Flat soon after.

Taking on the side that would go on to win the flag that season, Monro made 46 with the bat on debut, while also picking up 1-41 with the ball in the Demons' 11-run loss to the Roos.

"I'm pretty sure Adam Burns was my first wicket... it was a rank full toss that he cut straight to point," Monro said.

Monro spent nine seasons as a member of the Demons' first XI side, combining 1720 runs with 111 wickets.

His sole BDCA first XI century was made for the Demons in the opening round of the 2007-08 season against Bendigo when he carved out an unbeaten 100.

"I remember I came in on a hat-trick ball... I was batting at No.6 or 7 and we had lost a few quick wickets," Monro said.

"I was able to hit a couple of fours early and then it's a bit of a blur, but I remember being on about 96 when we were nine wickets down and Glenn Roulston came out to bat.

"Roulsty got hit on the toes that was close to lbw, but fortunately, he was given not out, so the first ball next over I was lucky enough to flick it through mid-wicket for four."

While he was a key member of the Demons' team on-field during his time at White Hills, Monro was also a strong contributor off the field at Scott Street before taking on a fresh start at Eaglehawk.

"I was doing a lot at White Hills... I was captain, coach and secretary all at once and probably just got a bit burned out," Monro said.

"Eaglehawk was chasing me at the time, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to try something new."

Monro didn't get the chance to play in any first XI finals during his time at White Hills, but the move to Eaglehawk has paid off, with the 36-year-old now a premiership player having been part of the Hawks' 2016-17 grand final win over Bendigo United.

"It has been really rewarding at Eaglehawk and obviously, the flag is my biggest highlight," Monro said.

Since joining the Hawks Monro has made 1447 runs and taken 99 wickets, giving him a total of 3167 runs and 210 wickets in the first XI across both clubs.

"At this stage in my career you have your days where you really still enjoy playing, and others where my body is sore until Thursday," Monro said.

"But overall, I still really love being part of Eaglehawk and being around the boys each week."

Monro - also a three-time BDCA Melbourne Country Week representative - is the Hawks' equal leading wicket-taker with captain Cory Jacobs this season with 15 apiece, while he showed Bendigo last week he can still tick the scoreboard over with a quickfire 47 off 36.

"I feel really fortunate that I get to play this game against White Hills this week having spent so much time there and having a lot of good memories," Monro said.

The Hawks enter round 17's game at Canterbury Park in sixth position on the ladder and still a mathematical chance of making the finals.

12.30pm Saturday at Bel Oval.

Last time: Strathdale-Maristians 6-138 def Bendigo United 5-134.

Since 2000: Strathdale-Maristians 20; Bendigo United 10.

12.30pm Saturday at Tannery Lane.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 162 def Huntly-North Epsom 122.

Since 2000: Strathfieldsaye 17; Huntly-North Epsom 8; Tied 1.

12.30pm Saturday at Dower Park.

Last time: Kangaroo Flat 8-220 def Bendigo 7-219.

Since 2000: Kangaroo Flat 20; Bendigo 7.

12.30pm Saturday at Canterbury Park.

Last time: White Hills 3-215 def Eaglehawk 6-206.

Since 2000: Eaglehawk 20; White Hills 5.

12.30pm Saturday at Wade Street.

Last time: Golden Square 6-266 def Sandhurst 252.

Since 2000: Golden Square 19; Sandhurst 5.

1. Strathdale-Maristians

Record: 13-0-3 Points: 87

2. Kangaroo Flat

Record: 11-2-3 Points: 75

3. Huntly-North Epsom

Record: 9-4-3 Points: 63

4. Strathfieldsaye

Record: 7-5-4 Points: 54

5. White Hills

Record: 6-7-3 Points: 45

6. Eaglehawk

Record: 5-7-4 Points: 42

7. Sandhurst

Record: 4-9-3 Points: 33

8. Golden Square

Record: 3-10-3 Points: 27

9. Bendigo United

Record: 3-10-3 Points: 27

10. Bendigo

Record: 3-10-3 Points: 27

635 - Joel Murphy

(Sandhurst)

537 - Kyle Humphrys

(Bendigo)

534 - Grant Waldron

(Strathdale-Maristians)

500 - Ryan Grundy

(Huntly-North Epsom)

500 - Jack Neylon

(Strathdale-Maristians)

30 - Brent Hamblin

(Kangaroo Flat)

26 - Sam Johnston

(Strathdale-Maristians)

24 - Scott Trollope

(Golden Square)

23 - Malan Madusanka

(Huntly-North Epsom)

23 - Linc Jacobs

(White Hills)

927 - Kyle Humphrys

(Bendigo)

883 - Cameron Taylor

(Strathdale-Maristians)

843 - Scott Trollope

(Golden Square)

811 - James Vlaeminck

(Strathdale-Maristians)

797 - Sam Johnston

(Strathdale-Maristians)

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: