Pocket Profile - Mat Gilson - Belmont District Cricket Club
Belmont District Cricket Club | June 26, 2025
What year were you born?
1997.
Tell us about your cricket journey. Where did you start junior cricket, and the clubs you’ve played for in senior cricket?
I started my cricket journey at Swansea Cricket Club u/7s when I was 5. Moved to Belmont cricket club when my mates finished playing Milo cricket. I chopped and changed between the 2 clubs until I had a couple of seasons off at 16. Then started back at a senior level for Belmont in my early 20s.
If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?
Bowler, part-time keeper.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Playing with a good bunch of lads. Taking poles is pretty good too.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
Captaining my team to back-to-back grand finals in juniors u/15s & u/16s, I believe (1 win, 1 loss).
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
Glenn McGrath.
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
In-game, I usually come in at the end of an innings, and no one is really fast bowling. So, I'll say Riles in the nets when he bowls a good 2 ft over the crease.
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
Aaron Bills in juniors.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Michael Gilshenan scoring 100 at Toronto.
Who is the best wicket keeper you’ve had the good fortune to play with?
Wade Kelly.
Is there a young player in your club you’d like to nominate as a player to watch?
Archie Bell.
The Belmont Hotel is a proud sponsor of the Belmont District Cricket Club
Who are the two players you’ve come to admire most in your club in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Skills - Clayton Poole, Spirit - Tony Bristow.
Tony Bristow
What are the two attributes you like to see in a captain and a leader?
To be able to push the team to improve, and lead by example.
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
Past/dead band INXS, present Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
Who’s considered the biggest pest at your club?
Josh Muddle.
Favourite location, city or country as a holiday destination?
Barcelona. Definitely going back some day.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?
My dad, he got me into cricket and without him paying for rego and encouraging me to play as a junior I would not have had the opportunities/experiences I have.
Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?
I've never really thought that much into it. I would say my mates (always there for each other).
Who are the three people in the world you’d love to meet and talk to?
Glenn McGrath, Keanu Reeves, and Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi
What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?
Hang out with mates, Gaming, and watch sport.
If working, what do you do?
I am a project engineer with Monadelphous.
Do you have a favourite quote?
"Remember, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people." - Mr Garrison (south park).
What are your goals for the next season?
To make it through the season without injury and take heaps of wickets.
BeaconPoint Club Clips - Phil Jaques on Batting: Mindset, Method and Making Runs
