Josh Emerton has been there and done that before.
And this weekend he has the chance to join a rare Newcastle District Cricket Association list.
The 34-year-old is on the verge of claiming a first-grade major premiership at a third club after helping Wests qualify for the 2017-2018 two-day grand final.
Before shifting allegiances this summer Emerton had struck success multiple times with upcoming opponents Merewether and previously led University to a title as captain in 2010-2011.
NSW representative Michael Hill is one of two others believed to have achieved the feat – most recently a hat-trick with Charlestown completed in 1983-1984, Merewether prior to that and Wests, then known as Lambton-New Lambton, the last time they won the prize in 1965-1966.
NSW Second XI all-rounder Rhys Soper also picked up a club treble – starting with Waratah-Mayfield in 1996-1997, moving onto a dominant period with Hamilton-Wickham in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but then rounded out at Wallsend in 2006-2007.
Emerton was unaware of the historical opportunity, but was pleased to be playing in another decider with a shot at more silverware.
“It’s exciting and it would be one to add to the cabinet so to speak,” Emerton said.
“But it’s just been a great year at Wests. We’ve all bonded really well and we’re a tight-knit bunch.
“That close mateship has benefited us on the field as well because we’re there for each other.”
The middle-order batsman was born-and-raised in Taree before trying his luck in Sydney with St George.
He then joined Newcastle club University from 2007-2008 for six seasons, featuring an unbeaten semi-final century before going on to clinch his maiden crown.
Merewether was his next port of call for four summers from 2013-2014, opening with two grand-final victories in the first XI.
A fourth individual title awaits for Emerton in his debut campaign at Wests, but he knows the minor premiers will have to be at their best to beat his former teammates.
“We’re there, but obviously there’s 180 overs of tough cricket left,” he said.
“And I know well enough, as do the other boys, how good Merewether are and the experienced players they’ve got who aren’t new to finals cricket. We’ve got to be 110 per cent on the ball.”
Both Wests and Merewether are expected to name unchanged teams on Saturday and Sunday after recording semi-final wins on the weekend.
GRAND FINALS: Wests v Merewether at No.1 Sportsground (first grade); Charlestown v Merewether at Kahibah Oval (seconds); Charlestown v Newcastle City at Harker Oval (thirds); Charlestown v Stockton-Raymond Terrace at Lynn Oval (fourths).
