FINALS fancy Brierly-Christ Church is taking the 'family club' cliche to a whole new level.
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Almost every player in the Bulls' first XI has a relation by their side.
There's brothers Nathan and Mark Murphy - two of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's premier batsmen - whose surname is synonymous with Brierly-Christ Church.
Nathan said playing alongside Mark, who returned in 2017 after a three-year stint coaching East Warrnambool, was "pretty special".
Anytime you're out there with your family it's pretty special.
- Nathan Murphy
"Growing up in the backyard we always had the footy or cricket gear out," Nathan told The Standard.
"Any time you're out there with your family it's pretty special.
"Having that family connection (is great)."
The family cricket ties stretch beyond Nathan and Mark.
Dad Michael and grandmother Beryl are avid Bulls supporters.
Nathan believes Brierly-Christ Church is stronger for its family values.
Numbers are no issue for the Bulls in an era where football clubs demand almost year-round commitment.
"About 15 years ago we identified that as a focus, working on our juniors and getting families involved," he said.
"That's taken a lot of work to create that culture where women are involved and families want to come and be involved here.
"The introduction of girls cricket has been fantastic and doing your hard work at your junior ranks filters through to your seniors.
"It means 10 years down the track you have good numbers in juniors and seniors and gives off a good atmosphere."
The Murphys aren't the only set of siblings at Brierly Oval.
Bulls skipper Matthew Love, a Victorian Premier Cricket veteran, has returned to his home club to suit up alongside brother Anthony and nephew Campbell.
They join the Mungeans - Tyler and Zavier - and Zac and Jacob Brooks to round out the club's sibling ranks.
Zavier, who arrived with Tyler and dad Jason last season, said his family had been welcomed with "open arms" since crossing from Nirranda.
"Everyone is so tight and close," he said.
"There's a lot of banter in the field and we (joke) with each other out there a lot.
"Everyone is welcomed together, it's great."
Last season, Harry and Lachie Rooke were yet another pair of brothers in Brierly-Christ Church's division one ranks.
Harry has since moved to Melbourne while Lachie is still plying his trade with the Bulls. Brierly-Christ Church faces Port Fairy as it continues the fight for its maiden two-day premiership on Saturday.
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