Phil Visser, Lachie Sperling and Shane McNamara tie for the Jack Sing Medal

The Geelong Cricket Association has witnessed history after three players tied for the most prestigious individual medal.

Seb Dew won the Jan Nowicki Medal for the best player in GCA3. Picture: Thomson Cricket Club.

There was a spectacular three-way tie for the prestigious Jack Sing Medal on Monday night.

North Geelong’s South African import Phil Visser, Newtown & Chilwell recruit Lachie Sperling and previous winner East Belmont’s Shane McNamara shared the award following terrific individual seasons in GCA1 first grade.

McNamara, who won the medal two seasons ago, hit 856 runs at 71.33 – followed by Visser with 685 at 62.27 – also took home the GCA1 champion player award.

It was a superb season for McNamara who hit three centuries in a row to close out the 2024-25 regular season, in addition to a 135 against St Peter’s and 92 to open the season against the Saints.

Meanwhile, Visser broke through with his first GCA first grade ton with 140 against the Saints in the final round on a testing pitch.

Newtown & Chilwell's Lachie Sperling, North Geelong's Phil Visser and East Belmont's Shane McNamara won the prestigious Jack Sing medal. Picture: Newtown & Chilwell CC.

And Sperling, a PE teacher and former Dowling Shield coach who joined the Two Blues from Casey South Melbourne during the off-season, hit 519 runs at 47.18 and claimed 25 wickets at 22.8.

Visser, who had a prolific season with Waurn Ponds Deakin in 22-23 before joining GCA1 powerhouse in the Magpies, said he was stoked to win the award.

“It’s obviously a big one for me,” Visser said.

“It means heaps, ‘Lach’ and Shane are both great players.

“I’ve loved my time at North Geelong, they’ve done so much for me and I’m so privileged to be at a great club.

“I didn’t see much of the new ball, really, (the openers) did all the hard yards.

“It helps when you’ve got superstars ahead of you.”

During his speech on Monday night, Visser said East Belmont superstar and two-time Jack Sing medallist Sean O’Neill had advised him on how to get to the magical three figures: “He actually gave me a couple of tips on how to get there.”

Capping off a great night for the Magpies, who won the club championship in the top tier and are gunning for six consecutive premierships this weekend, gun Tom Mathieson (34 wickets at 11.5) won the first grade bowling award for the fourth time in his career.

In division two, Bell Park recruit Nikhil Pottabathini won the Barry McMahon Medal after a prolific season with the bat.

Thomson’s Grant Dew was awarded GCA life membership. Picture: Grant Dew Facebook.

He shared the champion player award with Murgheboluc’s Jason Grozdanovski, who claimed nearly 50 wickets this season and is now preparing for a second division grand final from Saturday against the unbeaten Lara.

And in division three, Thomson all-rounder Seb Dew won the Jan Nowicki Medal with 13 votes, and will be a key wicket when the Tigers face Marshall in the decider.

It was a huge night for the Dew family, with father Grant awarded life membership of the GCA.

Meanwhile, Corio’s Anthony Grace was crowned division three’s champion player.

Little River’s Nicholas Fairchild was recognised for a brilliant all-round season to be judged the best performer in GCA4, while also taking home the champion player award.

Lara in GCA2, Marshall (division three) and Little River (division four) won their respective club championship titles.

Originally published as Phil Visser, Lachie Sperling and Shane McNamara tie for the Jack Sing Medal