Northcote Park bounces back with big win over Panton Hill, returns to NFNL Division 2 top-five

After five losses in a row, Northcote Park’s season was hanging by a thread but the Cougars responded emphatically to move back into the NFNL Division 2 top-five.

Michael Amad in action for Northcote Park.

It had been a tough month for Northcote Park but things look rosier when you’re sitting in the top-five.

The Cougars had suffered five straight defeats, the last a shock nine-point loss to Old Paradians.

But the club broke out of its funk in convincing style on Saturday with a thumping 55-point win over Panton Hill at Bill Lawry Oval.

And despite the run of recent losses, the 12.13 (85) to 4.6 (30) triumph lifts it back into the NFNL Division 2 top-five.

A barnstorming six-goal first quarter set up the win, while the defence kept the Redbacks goalless for more than half the match.

Ricky Fandrich in action for Northcote Park. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Northcote Park coach Anthony Palmer said it was an important response from his players.

“We played pretty well coming off a disappointing week, we let ourselves down a little bit and we needed to respond,” Palmer said.

“It’s going to be a tough seven weeks to go, every game is critical from now on.

“(Fifth) is a good position to be in, someone needs to take it from us.

“We’ve had our struggles and had to take our beatings but we look like getting back to full strength in the coming weeks, so we’re hopeful that we can have a good run home.”

The Cougars burst out of the blocks, kicking 6.3 in a dominant start, to take a 36-point lead to quarter-time.

Panton Hill was held to a single behind in the second quarter as the home team made it a 46-point advantage.

Both teams struggled to breakthrough in the third quarter as the visitors locked down.

With the match essentially over, they each kicked two goals in the fourth.

“It hasn’t been our strong suit, starts, so we were keen to get up and about early,” Palmer said.

“They brought a bit more heat, they were hard at the man and ball, and the game got played more on their terms but we had it under control.

“We made it fairly clear the week before wasn’t acceptable.

“As a whole group, the reserves included, we were keen to get back on the winners list and the reserves did that emphatically as well.

“The reserves, our depth, has been strong all year, we won by 90 points (on Saturday) and 100 points the time before and we lost to them by 200 points last year so we see that as a good measure of how far we’ve come in the past 12 months.”

Ben Reddick was best-on-ground in the win, while Noah Langborne, Jye Stevens, Will Rohde, Martin Kelly and Damon Marcon also shone.

Stevens, Michael Amad and Jacob Thompson all finished with three goals.

Reddick has been in the Cougars’ best in all eight of his appearances this season, underlining his value to the team.

“He’s been playing a little bit more on ball, he plays behind the footy at times – off half-back,” Palmer said.

“His effort is what stands out, six to 10 tackles most weeks, so he sets the barometer for our pressure as well as getting the ball himself.

“And Noah, he also plays a number of roles, is another one that brings good pressure.

“He’s got a high football IQ, he thinks his way through the game well, he’s been very good and has been getting better as the season has gone on.”

For Panton Hill, Riley Cousins was best afield and Riley Livingstone, Nick Parks and Matt Christopoulos also stood tall.

The Redbacks welcomed back key players Hotak Akram, Mitch Buckley, Jason Pannam, Sam Parks, Brent Ryan and Bailey Sobol for the match, who will all be better for the run.

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With seven weeks remaining, the result puts Northcote Park in the box seat to play finals.

The Cougars are a game ahead of sixth-placed Lower Plenty and face the Bears in a fortnight, with a clash against fourth-placed St Mary’s this week.

Elsewhere in Division 2, Macleod belted Thomastown by 72 points behind Darcy Barden’s seven goals, while Diamond Creek returned to the winners’ list with an 11-point win over Lower Plenty.

St Mary’s were a class above Watsonia, claiming a 77-point win and Whittlesea handled Old Paradians by 54 points.