When Brody Blackett-Gregg was plucked virtually from the sidelines the night before Tamworth Blue's final round Connolly Cup clash he never envisaged the accolades that would come his way.
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The teenage quick was named player of Sunday's final for his 4-30 as Tamworth dismissed Narrabri for 155 in reply to their 9-223.
Part of the NSW men’s 20-and-under netball team to contest the national titles in Melbourne in April, Blackett-Gregg had to request permission to miss their scheduled training session.
"After the game two weeks ago (semi-final) I asked permission," he said.
Fortunately for the Blues he was allowed to play.
"It was amazing. Coming into this I wasn't expecting to come so far," he said.
He was only a last minute replacement for the Gunnedah game after Kurt Barton withdrew. He went on to bag five wickets, earning him a place in the side for the semi-final where he claimed four wickets.
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"Brody has been sensational for us the last three games," Blues captain Ben Middlebrook said.
"He's been an excellent pick-up. I didn't know he could bowl like that."
"It's was good we were playing City that night and they said he'd play."
As he did against Walcha in the semi-final, Blackett-Gregg had Narrabri scrambling early. Thrown the new ball he jagged three wickets in his first spell before fittingly securing the win for the Blues four balls into his second spell.
"He's not the quickest bowler about but he bowls in the right areas and seams it about," Middlebrook said.
For his part Blackett-Gregg said he just wanted to get out there and "do as much as I could".
He has been in good form at club level as well taking eight wickets for his City United second grade side in his last three games.
"I'm just trying to get back into routine," he said.
"I've tried to change my rhythm to get a bit smoother."
He has thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the Blues but with the rep season done and dusted, and as his NSW side ramp up their preparations for their nationals defence, cricket will start to take more of a back seat.
"It was good that I played the rep final. Now my focus will go back to netball," Blackett-Gregg said.