31 January 2024, Melbourne, Australia
Thank you. I always go to awards nights and I spray people at the table because they haven't got anything prepared at an awards night, and I don't have anything prepared.
So I just want to thank a few people. I've obviously spoken about Greta my amazing wife, but I want to thank everyone at WA Cricket for your amazing support throughout my career. And no Australian player gets to where they are without the help and guidance of their state. So they've been vitally important for my career.
To a man named Scott Newman, who a lot of you won't know. He's been my batting coach for the last few years and one of my greatest mentors in my life. Without him probably still be trying to defend most balls instead of slogging them. So I've got him a lot to thank him for. And his old man, Bobby, down at Newman Cricket Store. There are an amazing family. So to Scotty, thank you so much.
To our team. I just love playing in this team now. I've had so much fun, especially over the last 12 to 18 months. We've had so much team success and I guess I'm really proud to have been able to contribute to that over this period of time. And everyone knows I love a good time, and when you keep winning, it just gets better and better. So it's been great, but I'd like to pay particular thank yous to Ronnie and Patty.
You believed in me, and I don't really know ...and I can't thank you enough for just believing in me. I'm a bit fat at times and I love a beer, but you see the best in me always, and you've changed my life. So for your support, Patty and your leadership, playing under you as an absolute dream. So yeah, thank you very much.
I should probably finish there, but just quickly to my beautiful family at home, to Mum, Dad, Sean, and Melissa, I know how proud you'll be. Dad will be sitting having six stubbies at the Coral Bay Pub and he'll be telling me to stop crying, so it's probably time to get off the stage, but this is a huge honour. AB. Yeah, thank you for being here and I really can't quite believe it. So I'll see you on the dance floor.