Sport
31 March, 2026
Riley Govan named A reserve Best on Ground
For the second year running, a Colts player has been named Best on Ground in the A reserve Grand Final, but unlike teammate Peter Egan, young gun Riley Govan gets to celebrate the honour with a premiership.
Govan’s clutch gene has been firing on all cylinders throughout March, culminating in season-best performances with both bat and ball on the grandest stage.
Fresh off consecutive three-wicket hauls in a finals-clinching victory against Beaufort Red and last weekend’s semi-final versus Avoca, Govan was handed the ball in the 27th over, tasked with finishing off an outstanding Colts bowling performance.
With Avoca 5/67 at the start of his spell, Govan only needed seven balls to make an impact, removing Brad Palmer for three thanks to a Peter Egan catch.
Govan was back for more in his next over, bowling Jedd Gay for seven to place the Bulldogs on the ropes at 7/78.
With the assistance of Ethan Chaplin, Govan denied a late Avoca rally by getting Kevin Russell caught by Hunter Kurzke for three, finishing with season-best figures of 3/18 from six overs.
Following his recent move to the top order, Govan was thrust into a crucial role in the Colts’ run chase, coming to the crease in the sixth over after Nick Peart’s quickfire innings came to an end thanks to James Collicoat.
After fellow opener Bayden Macintyre was removed by Palmer shortly thereafter, number three hitter Govan began to capitalise on his team’s rapid start alongside Rhys Egan.
With the partnership constantly rotating the strike and Rhys Egan’s hard-hitting providing a boost, Govan quickly settled into a confident rhythm.
Even after Rhys Egan departed for 23 and talented bats like Luke Patterson, Aaron Balzan and Daniel McGregor falling around him, Govan remained the linchpin of the run chase, scoring the winning runs in the 25th over to finish unbeaten on 24.
“His last month or so with the ball, he’s given me so much confidence that I can bring him on at any stage because he is just that good of a bowler,” Colts captain Johno Melton said after Govan was presented with his Best on Ground medal.
“I’ve always wanted to bat him a little bit higher and I’ve never really had the chance to, but I’ve had confidence all year that if we need him to stand up, he’ll stand up and he did today.”
Govan said it’s an honour to be named Best on Ground, and he’s glad to repay the faith of his teammates.
“I love playing cricket, so to do it with my mates and get the win is fantastic,” he said.
“It brought me a great deal of confidence to be trusted with the ball in the final stages of the game and it probably helped me with the bat as well.
“I just wanted to follow up on the spells of the opening bowlers and second chain bowlers. I didn’t want to leak too many runs and wickets came with it.
“With the bat, I just wanted to stay in. I knew we had batters in the shed, so if I just stayed out there, anchored the innings, then they could score the runs.”