Ben McNiece returns to Northcote Park but faces delayed start to season
Former Essendon defender Ben McNiece will return to his junior club Northcote Park in 2020 but faces a delayed start to the season as he undergoes training with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.
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Northcote Park has confirmed the return of former Essendon player Ben McNiece in 2020.
However, the defender will have a delayed start to his season as he completes training with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.
The Cougars junior will return to the Northern Football League after three seasons and 15 AFL games with the Bombers.
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McNiece played a key role in David Myers’ decision to sign with the club and Northcote Park coach Barry Mitchell was delighted to add another AFL-listed talent to his squad.
“It’s a good result for us, we’re just working through the details,” Mitchell said.
“He’s training with the fire service, so I’m not quite sure when he’ll be ready to play.”
However, the club has lost the services of key forward Jackson Starcevich and Charlie Le Fanu, who have crossed to Division 1 rivals North Heidelberg.
Star ruckman Kyle Galloway could be unavailable at stages during season after putting pen to paper with VFL club Coburg.
However, Mitchell was confident the club would remain a finals contender in 2020 with a versatile squad.
“Starcevich and Charlie had been great players for the club but player movement happens … you pick a few up, you lose a couple,” he said.
“We’ve got what we’ve got now, we’ll just get our game plan down and look forward to the season starting.
“Not all players will play multiple positions, but you certainly need some who can.
“You’ve got your players that play midfield or play well in defence, but players who can play in a few positions are handy so if you’re not going too well you can put them somewhere else and change the look of the team.”
Mitchell had been impressed by recruit Tom Baravi since the tough midfielder signed on from West Coburg.
Baravi was named in the Essendon District league Division 1 Team of the Year last season and finished runner-up in the competition best-and-fairest.
“Tom Baravi is a new player at our club and he has certainly impressed,” he said.
“He’s one that can play various positions, he’s six foot and he’s got good speed, so he looks like a player who can adapt to multiple positions.”
Northcote Park will open the 2020 NFL season with a Friday night clash against Montmorency at Bill Lawry Oval on April 3.
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