Schultz signing likely to be first of several new inclusions at Northcote Park for 2015 Northern Football League season

NORTHCOTE Park has put experience at the top of its recruiting priority list after snaring former Essendon VFL player Wayne Schultz as a playing assistant coach for 2015.

Wayne Schultz of the Bombers is attended to at quarter time during the VFL match between Bendigo Gold and the Essendon Bombers played at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo on Friday 18th April, 2014. Picture: Mark Dadswell

NORTHCOTE Park has put experience at the top of its recruiting priority list after snaring former Essendon VFL player Wayne Schultz as a playing assistant coach for 2015.

Schultz — who also played in the VFL with North Ballarat, Port Melbourne and Bendigo — will add further on-field quality to new Cougars’ mentor Harmit Singh’s coaching staff.

Singh said Schultz’s signing was a significant coup for the club.

“Schultzy is one of my best mates and he’s just recently become a father for the first time,” Singh said.

“I think to step aside from VFL was probably the right time for him.

“We were always going to end up playing together, it was just a matter of when it would happen again.

“He did have Morwell as his local club last year, but just because of the circumstances he didn’t end up playing a game.

“We’re a really young side at Northcote and we can lift that age profile up a bit with Schultzy, myself and a few other recruits.”

He said Schultz would be capable of playing a number of roles next year.

“He’s played as a dynamic small forward for Port Melbourne a few years ago,” he said.

“Then he’s won a league medal as a speedy midfielder who obviously uses the footy quite well. “I think this year he played mostly across half-back for Essendon, playing on the most dangerous small forwards.”

Northcote Park expects to announce several other signings in coming weeks, while 95 per cent of last year’s playing group has recommitted to the Northern Football League club.

“We’ve got a few other boys, I think we’re just going to hold off a bit and announce them after that,” Singh said.

“We feel like we’ve started pretty strongly in terms of our recruiting.

“I think the list was an OK one.

“Just due to circumstances and inability to close out those games, eighth place probably isn’t a true reflection of the capabilities of that group.”

Schultz, a former Michelson medallist in the Bendigo Football League, played 17 VFL games for the Bombers this year.

Northcote Park’s pre-season starts on November 10.