NFL 2019: Key forward Jackson Starcevich signs full-time at Northcote Park

Northcote Park’s pursuit of its first Northern Football League premiership since 2012 has received a significant boost with the full-time signing of key forward Jackson Starcevich.

Jackson Starcevich vies for a mark with Bundoora defender Ben Shelton. Picture: Hamish Blair.

Northcote Park’s pursuit of its first Northern Football League premiership since 2012 has received a significant boost with the signing of key forward Jackson Starcevich as a playing assistant coach.

The 199cm forward has mixed his time between Bill Lawry Oval and Collingwood VFL in recent years, but has committed full-time to the Cougars for 2019.

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“It’s huge. It’s something we have been working towards,” Northcote Park coach Matt McLennan said.

“That’s why you entertain the VFL players. As much as they can be a pain in the arse, you know when you get them it has always been quality.

“We saw a couple of years ago when he flying and fit, he was six votes clear in the (Frank Rosbrook) medal.

“His form line in that period was going up and up and he’s arguably one of the best local forwards available.”

Starcevich has averaged more than three goals per game in 15 matches for Northcote Park in the past two seasons, booting 47 majors since the start of 2017.

He was held goalless only twice in 13 matches two seasons ago, when he formed one of the most prolific partnerships in Division 1 with fellow big man Ash Close.

The Cougars will boast three top-class talls next year with Close (199cm), Starcevich and former Sydney rookie Kyle Galloway (206cm) all 199cm or taller.

“Our transition footy should be really quick and then you have got two blokes at 199cm coming out of the square,” McLennan said.

“At times we will probably able to rotate Galloway, (Paul) Dirago and (Damian) Galofaro through that forward line. It’s pretty big and imposing.

“We plan to play a lot of rebound footy, be really quick in transition and make everybody accountable.”

Greg Whitcroft has returned to Northcote Park as a senior assistant coach.

Charlie Le Fanu (left) will add class to Northcote Park’s defence.

Close, who is a performance analyst at Collingwood, is expected to be available for at least 12 games due to an increase in the number of prime time matches for the Magpies.

Northcote Park confirmed the addition of ex-Swan Galloway in September and has also signed dual WAFL premiership defender Charlie Le Fanu.

The club has announced the return of former coach Greg Whitcroft, who will serve as a senior assistant coach under McLennan.

Whitcroft, who has previously had stints at Banyule and Diamond Creek, recently stepped down as senior coach at Epping.

The Cougars finished eighth last year with a 7-11 record, winning five of their opening eight games before their finals charge was halted by a spate of injuries to key personnel.

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