Northcote Park coach Anthony Palmer discusses the Cougars’ expectations, preparations

31 for 31: After an injury crisis last year, Northcote Park has significantly improved its depth, including a clutch of Echuca recruits, and is confident of a finals charge in 2025.

Jordan Perry and Noah Penry celebrate a Northcote Park win. Picture: Field of View Photography

With a fully fit team on the park, Northcote Park came home with a wet sail last year.

The Cougars were 0-9 and facing relegation at the half-way mark of the NFNL Division 2 season but finished 5-4 to end up seventh.

The off-season was spent significantly strengthening the club’s depth and the mission has seemingly been a resounding success.

Second-year coach Anthony Palmer says as many as 70 players will battle for Round 1 selection in the seniors and reserves.

After an injury crisis last year, Palmer is confident the Cougars will be able to put their best foot forward in 2025.

Liam McErlain charges out of the contest. Picture: Field of View Photography

“Obviously, we had some issues with unavailability and had some bad luck but we got it together in the second half of the year,” Palmer said.

“We’ve been able to add significant depth to our playing list, so we had 56 playing (in a practice match on Saturday) and 16 more on the sidelines.

“We’ve got a good 72 players available going into Round 1, so there will be some disappointed guys.

“One of the things we struggled with, when we did get our best team on the ground we performed quite well, but we were one or two injuries away from guys that weren’t ready for senior footy.

“We were pretty keen to get started as soon as we could have the season finished, we did six or seven weeks before Christmas.

“The boys continued through Christmas and came back in good condition, we set some pretty high standards for them, and I feel like we’re ready to go.”

Northcote Park has been specifically bolstered by the arrival of several recruits from Goulburn Valley league powerhouse Echuca.

Noah Langborne, Will Poulton, Will Rhode, Sam Deola and Miles Dalgliesh have all come down to Melbourne for university.

Jono Naddaf handballs to a teammate. Picture: Field of View Photography

Deola and Rohde are Bendigo Pioneers graduates and, along with Langborne, have played senior football for the all-conquering Bombers.

Deola and Poulton played in the club’s reserve grade premiership last year, while Dalgleish played in the under-18s.

A connection through a past player opened the door to Bill Lawry Oval.

“We had a past player call us and let us know there were a few boys coming down to do uni in Melbourne. They were living in Balwyn,” Palmer said.

“We got in contact with (Noah), coincidently I played Teal Cup with his dad (Brad), so they came down and liked the environment they walked into and all of a sudden there were five that came.

“Three have experience playing senior footy at Echuca and two other boys are still developing but were part of under-18s premierships.

“I think Echuca has won the last eight under-19s grand finals and a couple of the boys have captained those teams over the journeys.

“They’re great kids and we’re really looking forward to see how they go.”

Northern Bullants VFL-listed Martin Kelly signs from Spotswood, Lachlan Boscarini returns to the Cougars after winning a Kyabram District flag with Lancaster, while Anthony Moleta is back from Violet Town and Nathan Perry comes down from North Ballarat.

Jack Fitzgerald comes across from Division 3 club Old Eltham Collegians, Jye Stevens arrives from Banyule, Jett Humphreys from Watsonia and Donato Cutinelli reunites with his Heidelberg under-19s coach Palmer after winning a Division 1 reserves flag.

Having several players miss large chunks of 2024, Palmer is also confident there’s plenty of internal improvement.

“We got Marty Kelly from Spotswood and he’s on Preston’s VFL list, which is great for him. We’re not sure where he sits there but we’re looking forward to when he plays,” he said.

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“Donato was the captain of the under-19s team I coach at Heidelberg, he’s been a great addition, and Lachie is returning to the club – a 10-year player at the club.

“Ben Reddick only played half a season, he’s got VFL experience, Jacob Thompson only played three-quarters, he’s got VFL experience, Lucas Perry didn’t play at all, Sam Amad was away at Marcellin and Daniel Tallaratti only played six or seven games.

“We fell like we’ve got a fair few internal recruits if you like as well.”

Northcote Park will kick off its 2025 campaign with a trip to semi-finalist Lower Plenty, before facing promoted Old Paradians, Thomastown and Panton Hill in the opening month.