A friendly rivalry turns 150

In proposing the competition, it was written in the 1876 issue of the Melburnian that “For some time, there has been a desire expressed by many that some crossing of lances might take place between ourselves and Sydney Grammar School... It is the first venture of the kind that has yet been made by any Australian school, but should it prove a success it will probably develop into an annual affair.” Indeed, 150 years later we can deem it has been successful, demonstrated by both its longevity and the high standard of play by the boys each year.

Pictured: Our 2026 Tri-Grammar team

Pictured in header: The Melbourne and Sydney players after the 2026 match

To mark this special occasion, a commemorative dinner was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s Olympic Room on 22 January. A strong contingent of Sydneysiders travelled down to Melbourne to support our boys and attend the dinner (and no doubt catch some of the Australian Open and the Big Bash League at the same time). The dinner was presented by Old Melburnian and Channel Seven sports reporter Mr Xander McGuire. The headmasters of both schools spoke; the dinner was one of the first public engagements attended by our new Headmaster Mr Stuart McPherson. Deputy Headmaster Mr Tom Watkins spoke on the history of the schools and the cricket game. The attendees were entertained by a panel on 150 years of cricket, with Mr McGuire interviewing the ABC cricket commentator Mr Jim Maxwell AM and Mr Paul Sheahan AM, the former Australian test cricketer and former Headmaster of MGS.

To further mark the sesquicentennial anniversary, Mr Jim Cattlin (OS 1961) published a second edition of his history of the match, A Continuing Tradition: MGS v SGS. 150 Years of Cricket. This updated edition now includes the history of games, scoresheets, team photographs, and accounts of each match up to the 2024/2025 season.

Please click here to email the Alumni Office if you would like to purchase the second edition.

Pictured: Mr Jim Maxwell AM, Mr Paul Sheahan and Mr Xander McGuire

Since the centenary anniversary in 1976, the boys have played for ‘The Bat’, a cricket bat signed by the 1976 First XI teams. This year it was taken home by Melbourne Grammar School.