Northcote Park coach Steve Saddington reflects on heart-breaking loss

Northcote Park coach Steve Saddington admits it will be tough to lift his players up after letting their first win of the season slip in a heart-breaking loss.

Lachlan King in action for Northcote Park.

Northcote Park coach Steve Saddington admits it will be hard to lift his players up after Saturday’s heart-breaking loss to North Heidelberg.

Desperate to claim their first win of the NFL Division 1 season, the Cougars led for all but the final minute of the game as a Jesse Tardio goal snatched the four points.

Leading by 22 points at three-quarter-time, Northcote Park were within sight of a drought-breaking victory.

However, it couldn’t halt the Bulldogs’ final-quarter comeback, falling by three points at Shelley Reserve, 8.9 (57) to 8.6 (54).

“Yeah it wasn’t great, it was pretty flat in the rooms after the game,” Saddington said.

Reed Jepson battles Shane Harvey.

“Our biggest challenge now is getting ourselves back up, we dominated 95 per cent of the game … there was genuine heartbreak in the rooms.

“They were probably in front of 90 seconds of the game, they just happened to be the most important 90 seconds.

“As a group we had a catch up after and we know we’re on the right path we’ve just forgotten how to win to be honest.

“Some old habits crept back in, they kicked two in a row and got a bit of momentum and we closed up a bit and changed what we were doing.”

North Heidelberg were held to just 2.8 (20) in the first three quarters as Northcote Park found their best football in difficult conditions.

Daniel Tallariti was the Cougars’ best in defence, while Matt Perry kept Tardio quiet for most of the game until his match-winning moment.

Captain Paul Dirago got through unscathed in his second game back from injury, while Ricky Fandrich kicked three goals in his return from suspension.

Saddington was confident the tide was turning for his team but injuries remain an issue as Jack Sammartino was ruled out on Thursday, while Bronik Davies, Lachlan Boscarini and Matt Grocott were all game-day withdrawals.

Michael Amad in action for Northcote Park.

“We’ve got good numbers on the track now, we’re not making a lot of changes (at selection) and we’ve got senior players back in the group, which gives you belief,” he said.

“If we can get one win I think there’ll be a snowball reaction and the momentum will come.

“(Tallariti) has been super since we got him to the club, his attitude for a kid that’s 21 coming from a lower grade of footy.

“Once he, Reed and Paul play a few games together, they’re going to be pretty unstoppable as the big three backs.

“Paul’s played two games now, his leadership is awesome, he’s probably a game or two away from tearing one apart.

“We’re getting a few games into Ben McNiece, having those two behind the ball gives us some real control and ball use down back.

“And the kids are improving out of sight, Liam McErlain, Lachie King, Ari Gerantidis and young Bryson Norris, who’s played high-level basketball, this is his first year playing senior footy and he was excellent.”

After the near miss, Northcote Park must pick itself up for a home clash against a red-hot Macleod.

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The Kangas has knocked off the Bulldogs and Greensborough since the season resumed and will be looking to take advantage.

Having survived an almighty scare at home, captain Kyle McDonald was named North Heidelberg’ best as Charles Le Fanu impressed against his former club.

Jackson Starcevich kicked three goals and Ryan McGhie was also important.

The fifth-placed Bulldogs tackle sixth-placed Montmorency at Para Road on Saturday.