Macleod cling to double-chance after upset loss to Northcote Park in Northern Football League

MACLEOD coach Garry Ramsay believes too much is being left to too few as the defending premiers cling to a top-three position.

Macleod coach Garry Ramsay.

MACLEOD coach Garry Ramsay believes too much is being left to too few following his side’s 13-point loss to Northcote Park on the weekend.

The Roos are clinging to the double-chance by percentage ahead of Saturday’s crunch clash against fourth-placed Bundoora.

Ramsay said the defending premiers were not getting an even contribution across the 22 players.

Captain Kane Shaw, Patty Martin and Reece Geary are all likely to return on Saturday.

However, forward Nick Lynch is likely to miss until at least the first week of finals after suffering a shoulder injury in the last quarter.

Ramsay said Lynch had escaped a break in the shoulder, but may have suffered ligament damage.

“There were too many that had no influence on the game at all on the weekend,” Ramsay said.

“The top-end players seem to play well each week so we need a more even spread from everyone.

“The conditions this week will be much similar, it will be heavy and a slower track so maybe people that didn’t fire in those conditions, we may need to look at the conditions and pick a side accordingly.”

Macleod led by a kick at halftime on the weekend but were outplayed and outworked in the second half as Northcote Park scored a 10.11 (71) to 8.10 (58) win.

It’s the first time Northcote Park has been inside the top-five since Round 1.

Ramsay said his side’s discipline had also been of concern.

“We’ve shown poor discipline and that has affected us on the scoreboard,” he said.

“It is an area we definitely need to improve, we’ve given away too many 50m penalties and downfield (free kicks).

“That hasn’t been a trait of our footy side and it has crept in.”

Elsewhere in Division 1, Heidelberg overcame a persistent Eltham in the final term to score a 16-point win.

In Division 2, North Heidelberg moved to equal top with a 34-point win over Hurstbridge.

In Division 3, Banyule scored a 59-point win over Kilmore, while Heidelberg West went down to Mernda by 166 points.