By Tyler Lewis
After a three season hiatus, Luke Manders – the once nudging opening bat – has returned to Casey-South Melbourne in captivating fashion.
He pulled the Swans threads back on in round 4 and has struck two dazzling centuries in his seven appearances since.
While many have wondered where Manders has been in the three summer absence, he admitted if it wasn’t for another Swans recruit, the break would still be in motion.
“Look to be honest, I would probably still be on that break,” he said.
“My best mate that I grew up with since we were four or five years old is Luke Shelton, he moved back from Sydney this year and said he was playing at Casey.
“That is why I jumped at the chance with him because we haven’t played together for about 10 years.”
The right-hander has emerged from his break seamlessly, crunching 337 runs @ 56.17, all while striking at 105.
A run of form Manders believes to have come from a change in his role for the team, and his promising young opening partner.
“A change of mindset I suppose, in terms of the first time I played at Casey, my role is different now,” he said of his recent form.
“It’s more about helping Ash (Chandrasinghe) out, he is the future, and he is the one we’re trying to get to the next level.
“If I can play my bit and make things a bit easier for him, that’s my aim, it seems to be working a bit at the moment.
“Probably less thinking about me and more about him, he scored quickly and easily in the first 15 overs, the roles were reversed this week and he helped me out a lot early. I should probably thank Ash for taking the pressure of me early,” Manders said.
Manders maiden century back in 2016/17 was a long and meticulous knock that saw off 270 balls for 159 runs.
His last two have been scintillating, striking at well over 100.
During Saturday’s innings Manders was on 35 from 53 deliveries, before carving his next 33 balls for 65 runs, bringing up his century in 86 balls.
While he feels he has always had this ability to turn the score over in his arsenal, Manders is confident a shot from a previous stint at the crease motivated him to fight through the tough onslaught that is facing the new rock.
“I think I have always been able to do it, but I think it is just a change in roles and mindset,” he said.
“At the time when you’re doing it, you don’t realise you’re doing it.
“To be fair to Camberwell, they bowled really well for the first 15 overs and there was something there for the bowlers.
“The week before I played a pretty shit shot against Richmond because it was a little bit tough.
“This week was the same, so it was good to not throw it away again.
“Once we got past that 15 over mark, we’re probably 0/50-0/60 at that stage, there is no point plodding along, not with our batting order anyway.
“I suppose it got to a point where I said ‘alright it’s time to tick them over a bit more, and I guess I must’ve got on a bit of a roll because I didn’t realise I went that quick ,” Manders said.
As he returned to the club during the year, Manders has been forced to wear a fellow clubman’s playing kit.
He is told his kit is on the way, but has admitted if he fails in the new one, the Swans fourth XI skipper – Stu Fairley – will be getting a call to return the lucky long-sleeve.
“Every time I make some runs, I get a text from Stu Fairley and all I write back is ‘well played mate, you’re having a good year’,” Manders joked.
“I think I have a couple of shirts coming, they’ll come and I’ll hand the (number) 23 back to Stu.
“I’ll give it a couple of chances, but I might have to (ask for it back if he fails).”
