Magpies strengthen eight-peat bid with recruiting coup

NORTH Geelong’s winning culture continues to prove one of its biggest recruiting tools, with the reigning premiers securing another impressive group of signings ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Former Lara coach Peter Herrick headlines the Magpies’ latest recruits, joining batter-turned-all-rounder Tanner Hay, Tayne Hewson, Ajay Mada and Jack Sykes ahead of the club’s pursuit of an eighth consecutive GCA1 premiership.

Herrick is a well-respected local cricket figure who spent two seasons with the Cats, leading them to a GCA2 premiership in 2025 and a preliminary final berth in 2026 after their promotion to GCA1.

He said it was North Geelong’s team-first culture, rather than its recent success, that ultimately convinced him to make the move.

“I love the way that Bidders [coach Craig Biddiscombe] goes about things,” Herrick said. “Our values around training and gameplay, they’re all aligned.

“I thought my playing days were well and truly done and I’m just really excited to be involved in a club that’s afforded me that opportunity, but also more importantly, who are willing to work for one another.”

Having played against North Geelong this season, Herrick said he had already seen that culture firsthand.

He recalled watching teammates rally around a player who had dropped two catches, rather than criticising him.

“They could have easily dropped their bundle and really gotten dirty about it, but they got around him like I’ve never seen before,” he said.

“As an opposition player, that kind of culture is more frightening than being sledged or having somebody come in and bowl 140 clicks at you.

“[The club is] not focused on one person. It’s focused on that club mentality and putting the club before everything else and that excites me.”

For Herrick, moments like that were a clear indication of why the Magpies have enjoyed such sustained success.

While eager to contribute on the field, Herrick said he was equally excited by the opportunity to help develop North Geelong’s younger players, as he did during his time at Lara.

“I’m happy to help out in any way I can,” he said.

“I’m really excited now to start a new challenge with North and hopefully work with some of the younger kids and push them through the ranks and on to bigger and better things.”

Former Bannockburn all-rounder Tanner Hay is also embracing a new challenge after making the move from GCA3 to the competition’s top flight.

“The main decision was to test myself in GCA1,” Hay said. “I’m at the age where if I don’t go do it now, then I probably never would.”

His early interactions with the Magpies only reinforced his decision.

“They’re obviously a very successful club and in the few dealings that I’ve had with them so far, you can tell why with what they do and how they do it,” Hay said.

The club will return for preseason training on 26 July.