Northcote Park coach Steve Saddington on club’s mindset coming back to Division 2

After just three wins in two seasons, Northcote Park is looking to find the enjoyment in footy again as it embarks on a first NFNL Division 2 season in 29 years.

Matthew Perry in action for Northcote Park. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Northcote Park coach Steve Saddington says this season is about finding the fun in footy again.

The Cougars endured two painful seasons before relegation from NFNL Division 1 last year, winning just three of 29 games.

However, the return to Division 2 – for the first time since 1994 – has allowed the club to reset and recharge and hopefully pick up a few wins.

“It was a reset that we probably needed, the new blokes have been awesome and the numbers are high, so we feel like we’re in a good spot.

“It’s (a mindset of) let’s enjoy it.

Northcote Park coach Steve Saddington.

“Without being disrespectful we’re hoping to win more games than we lose, we think we’ve got enough talent there.

“As a starting point it goes back to having fun, it’s been a long couple of years for the club, so hopefully we can sing the song a couple of times and see what happens.”

Saddington admits there’s been “a changing of the guard” at Bill Lawry Oval with several senior players departing.

Most notably Ben McNiece has joined Bundoora, while Lachlan King, Tom Hallebone (both Banyule), Brayden King, Reed Jepson (both Old Ivanhoe), Ricky Fandrich (Wantirna South), Gordon Bamblett (Fitzroy Stars), Lachlan Boscarini (KDFNL) and Ayui Makiemg (Uni Blacks) have also departed.

Of the arrivals, Tyson Old returns after two seasons with Hurstbridge and two-time West Preston-Lakeside premiership player James Tadd switches from Epping along with Adrian Cirianni and Damon Marcon.

Former Greensborough captain Chris Clark, Rory Patterson (St Bernard’s), Matt Perazzola (Preston Bullants), Nick Balderanos (Surrey Park) and premiership player Brock McLennan have also signed on.

Importantly, key figures including skipper Matt Perry and brothers Jordan and Lucas, best-and-fairest winner Daniel Tallariti, Alex Boyse and Matt D’Angelo all remain committed.

“We took our medicine, whoever left left and we drew a line in the sand and said what has happened happened,” Saddington said.

“We don’t need to mention it anymore and I think that’s the best attitude to have instead of worrying about what we could have had and who’s not here.”

Personnel had been an issue at times for Northcote Park but after a strong pre-season there is far greater depth this season.

The Cougars have won both their practice matches this pre-season against EDFL club Westmeadows and Goulburn Valley’s Seymour.

The club also expects to be far more competitive in reserve grade, where it also won just three of 29 games in the past two years and was forced to forfeit one game last year.

“We’re 12 months away from having an under-19s team and from a wider perspective, going down gives us an opportunity because we’re not going to get the big pummellings we were in A-grade,” he said.

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“Our reserves are going be on a more level playing field, we’re not going to get beaten by 25-30 goals every week.

“We’ve seen that with the numbers on the track already, we don’t care if we’re not winning the flag and dominating but if we’re competitive most weeks blokes will hang around a lot more.”

Northcote Park will welcome premiership contender Diamond Creek to Bill Lawry Oval for a Round 1 clash under lights on April 15.

A trip to Lower Plenty is followed by a clash against Panton Hill, which will give the club an immediate glimpse of where it sits in the competition.