DEMON STARS IN CRICKET WORLD CUP

By Peter Kennedy

Long term Perth fans will remember Joe Santostefano as a star half back and wingman for the league side during the 1980s.

Joe played 100 league games for the Demons and in a stellar season in 1988, represented WA twice and tied with Claremont's Ben Allen - later the Fremantle Dockers' inaugural captain - for Westside Football's player of the year.

Joe retired after 12 games with South Fremantle in 1992. But that wasn't the end of his sporting achievements, as he resumed a promising cricket career which he had put on hold soon after leaving school.

Joe made his first grade cricket debut with the Perth club as a talented 17 year-old batsman. And that talent was still evident in the pre-Christmas inaugural Over 50s Cricket World Cup in Sydney, where he was a key member of the winning Australian team.

"Representing your country and wearing the 'baggy green' was a great thrill," he said. "And contributing to Australia winning the title against seven other nations was the icing on the cake."

In fact Joe's contribution was considerable. He was Australia's second top batsman over the series - and seventh overall -  scoring 229 runs at an average of 45.8. His top score was 54 not out against England.

Fitness was a crucial factor in the one day, 90 over contests. And at 82 kgs, he is close to his playing weight with the Demons.

But Joe, who operates Riverjet Pipeline Solutions, decided to retire at the top. Following the World Cup he has "called time" on his cricket career, which also included leading the South Perth side in the WA Suburban Turf competition.

Although he still helps out at South Perth, he reckoned it was time he devoted more time at home with his wife Lucia, and nine year old twins, Sebastian and Valentina.

Footnote: Another former Perth league player to represent Australia in cricket was Ron Gaunt. A defender, he played one league game, and was a member of the Seconds premiership side in 1955. Ron had great pace as a fast bowler, and took a wicket in his first over in a Test match against South Africa in Durban in 1958.