Northcote Park coach says pre-season issues will teach resilience

Northern Football League outfit Northcote Park is more excited than most to get the Division 1 season started after a far from smooth pre-season campaign.

Northcote Park coach Steve Saddington describes his club as a “band of gypsies” after a nomadic pre-season.

With just 15 days before the Cougars’ season opener the club has been unable to train on Bill Lawry Oval at all.

An issue with the local council and Northcote’s success in Premier Cricket could mean the NFL Division 1 outfit has less than a fortnight to prepare before taking on Montmorency under lights on April 9.

Northcote Park has been forced to train at Yarra Bend Park, Northcote juniors’ McDonell Park and at Bulleen Park among other venues over summer.

“It’s been a great pre-season from our boys considering we’re training on different grounds every night, we’re pretty much a band of gypsies,” Saddington said.

“We’re going from ground to ground and got to take all our gear with us, training benches, balls, bags, to a different ground every night.

“Hopefully it builds a bit of resilience in the group, we haven’t had the luxury and comfort of the home ground and we’re looking forward to getting back there.”

Saddington took the coaches reins in September and inherits a list in transition.

Former Essendon defender Ben McNiece returned to his junior club last year, while Reed Jepson (Epping), Daniel Tallariti (Templestowe), Jack Sammartino (Preston Bullants) and Matt Grocott (Queanbeyan) have also joined since the end of 2019.

In an intriguing signing, Australian netball representative Josh Byron has also come on board.

Star ruckman Kyle Galloway has signed with VFL club Coburg but should be available most weeks depending on selection at the Lions.

Northcote Park has had practice match hit out against Seymour and Strathmore and is battling a run of injuries in the lead up to Round 1.

Kyle Galloway in action for Northcote Park. Picture: Hamish Blair

Paul Dirago suffered a compound fracture to his finger, Tallariti has a finger ligament injury and Grocott is dealing with a quad complaint.

However, McNiece played his first minutes of the pre-season against Strathmore and Bronik Davies will play this weekend against Old Collegians.

Saddington said despite the setbacks the group was improving every time it came together.

“We’re trying to get through without any injuries at the moment, we seem to be getting them left, right and centre, and at the top end which is unfortunate,” he said.

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“Strathmore beat us pretty easily in the end on the weekend but we got out of it what we wanted to.

“Ben McNiece played his first game, this week we get Bronik (Davies) back for his first game, we’re getting important minutes into a few of the boys.

“Jack Sammartino has been carving it up on the track and his match day form has been brilliant.

“Liam Mcerlain and Brock McLennan have been going really well on the wing. We’re improving every time we come together.”