North Geelong signs Waurn Ponds-Deakin star Philip Visser to GCA1 premiers

The GCA1 premiers did not wait long to announce their first signing, with the GCA’s top batter moving clubs.

GCA1 premiers North Geelong has signed Philip Visser for the 2023-24 season after dominating in the GCA4 with Waurn Ponds-Deakin. Picture: NGCC Facebook

FOUR-time reigning premiers North Geelong has not waited long to start the recruitment process for the 2023-24 season, signing the region’s top-scoring batter for next year.

The Magpies announced on Monday they had landed former Waurn Pond-Deakin batter Phil Visser, who made 855 runs for the year and led the Eagles to the GCA4 premiership with 110 runs off 89 balls.

The club took to its Facebook page, just two days after winning the GCA1 premiership, to announce the signing.

“Just when you think we’d be content on winning 4 in a row, like Tom (Mathieson) said after the game on Saturday … we aren’t done yet!!” the club post read.

From Eagle to Magpie. Picture: Alan Barber

“The NGCC would like to officially welcome Phil Visser on board for season 2023/24.

“The exciting right handed bat has quickly made a name for himself in season 2022/23 arriving from South Africa and plying his trade with Waurn Ponds.

“The 24 year old is currently celebrating winning the 4th Division 1st XI GCA Premiership where he starred with 855 runs for the season including a Match winning 110 in Saturdays Grand Final.

“Phil returns home to South Africa this week and will rejoin us later in September. Welcome to the North Geelong Family Phil!”

Visser notched up five centuries in the GCA4 season, including a 156 and 128 against Newcomb & District, as well as an unbeaten 121 against Meredith.

Philip Visser. Picture: Alan Barber

The South African also represented the GCA at Country Week, scoring 90 runs with a top score of 56 across three innings.

His signing comes almost 12 months on from North Geelong announcing the signings of Ned Cooper and Dale Kerr, who moved to the club after the 2021-22 season after three consecutive premierships with Anglesea in the BPCA.

North Geelong skipper Tom Mathieson said after the grand final the Magpies were chasing history, with the club in striking distance of matching Newtown and Chilwell’s six premierships from 1978-79 through to 1983-84.

“We’re not done yet, even the older boys are determined to get runs and wickets in big games,” Mathieson said.

“We’ll celebrate this hard. We want to be in the moment and enjoy the four flags, but you’ll find us back here.

“We’re not going anywhere.”

Originally published as North Geelong signs Waurn Ponds-Deakin star Philip Visser to GCA1 premiers