Joel Mason is proudly sponsored by Ian Bird Photography for the 2011/12 season.
Ian Bird, brother of Manly boy Jackson Bird, is a freelance photographer who loves capturing beauty of the Northern Beaches on camera. Birdy is the official photography partner of the club, and he does some fantastic work each Saturday at Manly's home grounds. Birdy also specialises in photographing surfing, landscapes and corporate events.
How many years have you been at Manly: First started 18 seasons ago, but I think this would be my 14th season due to injury and travel.
Nickname and why: Usually Mace or Maso, Pezza sometimes gets a run (after Perry Mason, the lawyer from the 50’s tv show). Frase, Warny and Elliot Leahey are the only ones I get that from.
Highest score: 150 against Parramatta, first game of this season. Before that it was 30 odd.
Best Bowling: This would surprise most people, and it certainly surprised those who were playing, but I got 4/20 in 3rd grade many moons ago bowling little swingers. I still think I have a bit of zip in me.
Best Cricketer you ever played with: I played a few seasons with Shank when he was 15 or 16, but obviously he was not the player he is today. I did play a 3rdgrade game with Scud when he was playing as a specialist batsman so he didn’t injure himself for the upcoming shield game, however he got a little excited and had a bowl for the fun of it. I was keeping so it was pretty frightening. On a regular basis, the best would have to be Jeanie or Warren “Clifford the big red dog” Evans
Who is your favourite Manly Cricketer of all time? I have been waiting for this question. I know that Parko wants me to say him, and he is probably in my top 5 of all time. I also really enjoyed playing with Warny, Lawesy and Fitzy. But my all time favourite Manly cricketer would have to be Pete Jacka. For some reason I really enjoyed playing cricketer with sneaky Pete and always really wanted him to do well. He is just a great bloke and so laid back which is kind of what Manly is about.
Who is your favourite current Manly Cricketer? It has to be Digits. Just everything about the bloke is cool. The way he walks, talks, and attracts woman, there is just something about it. Maxy “Bang-Bang” Burgess is also up there in the top 5, but I think that Taylor “Swifty” Beatty is someone I will enjoy playing with and taking the p!ss out of in future seasons.
Funniest Moment on or off the field? I can’t split 2 of them. The first was the streaker we had at Graham’s one day. He came out of absolutely no-where, it wasn’t like he drove there with a bunch of mates, or he was on a stag do, he just ran around the corner, no one watching, and just streaked across the field, did a few laps of the pitch, and then ran off into the sunset. It was very random, with no one there cheering him on. The second would have to be the famous “Where’s Wally” day down at Manly Oval. Back when 1st grade had the Winga’s, Heaths, Scud’s, Moss’s and Phelps, the lower graders used to pack out the hill all day for limited overs matches (no T20’s back then). Jay Trevaskis was a good cricketer and played a few years in the lower grades, but was better known for dressing up as Where’s Wally one day and having the whole crowd in stiches. He showed up everywhere.... playing tennis next to Manly Oval, driving down Sydney Road with his head out the window, at the top of houses just up from Sydney Rd, among many others. For something so simple, it was amazing entertainment and something I will never forget. Had a few bourbons afterwards at the Steyne that night.
How would you go impressing the girl of your dreams Probably go down to the Ivanhoe, ground floor, bring back the ability to smoke inside, order myself a bourbon, and people watch. In-fact, that is exactly what I did when I met the lovely Nicole on one ill-fated (for her) Saturday night many moons ago.
What are your goals for this season My goal is to be the one who wins the game. I know we all laugh at me getting a lot of 30’s and 40’s, but I really hate it and want to be the one who stands up and wins the game when it is needed.
Who do you think will take out the single figure award (loosest person) this season? Probably Matt Mee. He just says the most bizarre things. But I also know he is a BIG fan of myself so Matty, if you are reading this, I still love you. C’mon Mee.
Ian Bird Photography is the official photography partner of the club, and he does some fantastic work each Saturday at Manly’s home grounds. He is also sponsoring yourself for the season. You are well known for your fine rig, which photo of yourself should Ian Bird Photography take for their art collection? My massive behind is a favourite among allot of people, many of whom say it should be immortalised for its massiveness (is that a word?), so no doubt that would increase the collections worth.
