Finn Nixon-Tomko and Izaak Merlehan Milestones

Finn Nixon-Tomko

With his maiden Grade century, 107 vs UNSW 3rd Grade in Round 15, Finn Nixon-Tomko passed 2000 runs for the Bears.

Finn commenced his Bears career in Green Shield in season 2017-18 and has represented the club in every grade bar First Grade in his 97 career games. Finn is a patient left handed opening bat, who possesses a very sound temperament and excellent powers of concentration. He is excellent behind point on the off-side, is rock solid in defence and has a reliable flick off the hip on the on side. He’s also an excellent ground fielder in the ring.

Finn’s 2,088 career runs come at an average of 23.46, however season 22-23 was his most prolific with the bat scoring 465 runs at an average of 29.06.

Finn is an extremely popular Bear, beloved by his teammates and well liked by his captains due to his consistency and application. Only just finishing his U21 season, Finn has a promising grade career ahead and we all hope to see him churn out more runs for the Bears at the top of the order.

Izaak Merlehan

Izaak Merlehan (Merlo) passed 100 wickets for the Bears in Round 15.

Merlo hails from Gunnedah and joined the club in 2017-18. He has played 73 games for the Bears across Second Grade to Fifth Grade.

Merlo is a tidy off break bowler, powerful lower-order hitter and athletic fielder. He has claimed 101 wickets which have come at a cost of 20.4 and he has taken 4 career 5-fas, with best bowling figures of 5/33 vs Easts in 2018-19. Merlo also has scored 4 hard hitting 50s for the Bears.

Merlo assumed the role of Club Captain this season - a task he is extremely appropriate for, due to his maturity and popularity amongst the group. Merlo has a great rapport with players from all grades and is a perfect club man, a genuinely funny bloke but also very supportive of his teammates. Merlo also claims to be the club's best fielder, under-arm thrower and skuller of beers - a man of many talents!

Merlo truly is part of the fabric of the club and we look forward to more highlights in the seasons ahead.