Anglesea powerhouses join Magpies flock

Left to right: Dale Kerr, Curtly Balshaw and Ned Cooper will all don the black and white for GCA season 2022-23. Photo: SUPPLIED

NORTH Geelong Cricket Club is fresh off winning its third-straight premiership proving they are the best side in Geelong, and now they look even better.

The Magpies have announced two marquee acquisitions from the neighbouring Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association (BPCA) with Ned Cooper and Dale Kerr making the switch to Geelong Cricket Association (GCA) play for 2022-23.

“The plan was always at some stage to have a go in the GCA, and the time was about right winning the fifth premiership at Anglesea as well as the club being in a pretty good place with its twos,” Cooper said.

“It’s exciting to join a new environment out in North Geelong with a better standard of cricket, a new challenge, and the potential to improve our cricket.

Former Anglesea opener Cooper brings with him to Keith Barclay Oval the ability to put mass runs on the board, having led the BPCA in runs last season with 695 runs, an average of 77 runs per game and more than 100 total runs ahead of the next highest season total.

Kerr, Anglesea’s premiere bowler in 2021-22, notched up 22 wickets throughout last season, ranked fourth across the entire BPCA.

These statistics coupled with the ability of players like Sam Hall and Tom Mathieson, makes for a simply terrifying North Geelong line-up that is already more than capable of challenging for a fourth-straight GCA title.

Nevertheless, Cooper said he is merely there to play the role that coaches Jack Hall and Craig Biddiscombe set forth for him.

“It’s pretty straightforward that we are here at North Geelong to what we need to do in our roles, not to take over or anything,” Cooper said.

“Contributing to the team and being good people around the club are our primary goals for next season.

“Hopefully we can get in the finals first of all and then the whole way at the end of the day. It’ll be good, we’re looking forward to it.”

North Geelong has also welcomed several familiar faces back to the Nest with Curtly Balshaw, Lachy Hayes and Harry Vivian being announced amongst the plethora offseason moves so far by the Pies.