North Geelong pace ace Dale Kerr sought out Donald’s Leo and Pat Allen to recover from osteitis pubis

One of Geelong’s leading quick bowlers turned to two brothers in regional Victoria to get his season back on track, who previously assisted an AFL legend to overcome a dehilbiating injury.

North Geelong teammates Dale Kerr and Bailey Sykes played for Country Victoria at the national championships. Picture: Supplied

North Geelong pace maestro Dale Kerr has revealed he sought out two “OP gurus” in central regional Victoria to get his cricket back on track.

Since the end of last year’s football season, the Winchelsea-based champion had battled through the effects of osteitis pubis after joining North Central League club Donald.

Later in the year, with his mobility impacted, Kerr had taken 10 wickets at 25 in GCA1 first grade as the Magpies embarked on a quest for a historic sixth-straight flag.

“I hurt it late in the footy season last year,” Kerr said of the injury.

Kerr bowls to Newtown & Chilwell’s Ronnie McKenna. Picture: Mark Wilson

“It just lingered around all the way into cricket pre-season and the start of cricket.”

Kerr had begun investing in a handful of sessions with Pat and Leo Allen, who are connected to the Royal Blues, at the tailend of the season.

Pat had reportedly worked with Carlton legend Chris Judd on his OP issues during his playing days in 2009, while his magic hands also assisted the likes of Cameron Mooney, Brendan Fevola and Nick Maxwell.

Sadly, Pat would die at the age of 86 in November last year.

“I think they worked with a fair few AFL players,” Kerr said.

“They’re sort of OP gurus or whatever you want to call them.”

Post-Christmas, and in improving physical fettle, Kerr returned to his best to claim 12 wickets at 14 apiece in four games in Geelong’s top tier.

And combined with his efforts at the national championships with Vic Country, and the GCA at Melbourne Country Week, he’s taken 23 wickets at 17.6 overall.

“Everything at the moment is feeling really really good,” he said.

Kerr and his teammates celebrate his catch off Bailey Sykes. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I’ve felt like I’m hitting my straps a bit, no real niggles or anything.

“Hopefully it stays that way for the rest of the season.”

It comes as North Geelong revealed earlier this month that Kerr and co-coach Craig Biddiscombe had recommitted for the 2025-26 season.

When asked what was perhaps a secret to North Geelong’s success, he said it was essentially a matter of hard work and teammates inspiring each other to go the extra mile, establishing a tight-knit and supportive culture.

He said some players would arrive at training an hour early to either do throw downs or work on their bowling.

“You win games of cricket from hard work on Tuesday and Thursday,” he said.

“We always have really good numbers from the get go (in pre-season).

“We have a lot of blokes who put in a lot of effort.”

Kerr said it remained a challenge to stay at the top of the tree, but the Magpies had not lost any motivation to constantly improve.

The Magpies’ first grade team has not been beaten since Round 6 at the hands of top team Newtown & Chilwell — the Two Blues are the only team to get the better of the Magpies this season.

He was particularly glowing of his coaching colleague, Biddiscombe, whose teenage son Liam is carving out a career for himself at Geelong CC.

Kerr said the older Biddiscombe was a people person and an excellent communicator who made friendships and connections easily.

“Craig’s the best cricket coach I’ve come across,” he said.

“Communicating to people who are in the fifth eleven at North Geelong to the people playing in the first eleven.

Dale Kerr attempts to get boot to ball against Ocean Grove in the 2015 BFNL elimination final. Picture: Cormac Hanrahan

“When he speaks everyone listens to what he has to say, it’s not just always about cricket.

“I think that’s why people hold him in such high regard.”

Meanwhile, Kerr is keen to get back to Ellimatta Reserve for the first time since 2021, joining Leopold’s Tevan Nofi and St Mary’s’ Harrison Ling at the Roos as they chase BFNL redemption.

After two seasons at Grovedale, Kerr had joined close mate Blake Grant at Donald in 2024.

“I’m pretty close with (new Tigers coach) Jason Armistead ... I was maybe going to play at Colac (in 2025),” he said.

“I’m looking forward to a new challenge, it’s a completely different group.”

Originally published as North Geelong pace ace Dale Kerr sought out Donald’s Leo and Pat Allen to recover from osteitis pubis