Northcote Park hope to stop five-game losing streak, regain a host of key players against West Preston-Lakeside

Northcote Park’s losing streak hit five games with a loss to Macleod but there’s good news for the Cougars with several key players hoping to return against West Preston-Lakeside.

Jordan Perry is set to return for Northcote Park. Picture: Ian Currie

Northcote Park hopes to regain as many as 10 players on Saturday as it looks to arrest a five-game losing streak.

A “perfect storm” of player unavailability hit the Cougars on the weekend, forcing the NFL Division 1 club to forfeit its reserves.

The seniors slumped to a 73-point loss to Macleod, the latest in a stretch that has seen Northcote Park lose four of its past five games by more than 10 goals.

It’s a big drop after a 4-0 start to the season, which included wins over reigning premier West Preston-Lakeside and Bundoora.

“I don’t know if you’d call it luck, but we’re down to a situation where we’re missing about 15-16 pretty decent players,” football manager John Matthew said.

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

“We’ve still got four or five of our best players playing, but unfortunately they can’t carry the whole side.

“Our bottom end, we’re playing guys that in a perfect world would still be developing a little bit in the reserves.

“What happened this week is almost a perfect storm where a guy was going away for work, another suspended and all the injuries.”

Despite the losing streak, Northcote Park remains fifth on the ladder and hope several key players will return for its home clash against West Preston-Lakeside.

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Lachie Boscarini (hamstring), Jordan Perry (knee) and Bronik Davies (concussion) face fitness tests while Jake Mills is available after suspension.

Matthew said the availability issues had unearthed some talent that may not have otherwise got an opportunity.

“If there is a silver lining, it's a lot of guys are getting a go that might not have had a go,” he said.

“A young kid like Connor Oxley, who played 19s last year, he’s played the last couple of games. Christian Fakhri is another young guy.

Lachie Boscarini in action for Northcote Park. Picture: Kris Reichl

Jordan Perry in action for Northcote Park. Picture: Ian Currie

“Matty George has been fantastic. He was captain of our reserves, and I think when he get a few back he’ll stay in because he’s been pretty effective.

“It’s funny you find people who can play. Crisis brings opportunity, as they say.”

The Cougars are confident, with a fit best 22, of still contesting finals.

“Fingers crossed we’ve got about 10 who should — or 75 per cent sure — be available next week and if we can get all those guys back we’re not in too bad a shape,” Matthew said.

“If you look at the ladder, surprisingly, we’re still hanging on in fifth place.

“Drawing a bit of a long bow, where we sit at the moment, but if we get a few back with our best team on the park, we’re still a good side.”

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