Northcote Park remains in the NFL Division 1 finals fight after squeezing past wasteful Lower Plenty

Battling a crippling injury crisis, Northcote Park remains in the NFL Division 1 finals hunt after squeezing past a wasteful Lower Plenty but faces a horror run home.

Matthew Perry in action for Northcote Park. Picture: Hamish Blair

It wasn’t pretty but it’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Northcote Park.

Miraculously, the Cougars are back in the NFL Division 1 top five after a 10-point win over Lower Plenty on Saturday.

Given Northcote Park’s injury crisis, every win is precious and keeps the club’s finals hopes alive.

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After toppling last year’s Division 2 premier 10.7 (67) to 7.15 (57), Cougars coach Matt McLennan remained realistic with five games remaining in the season.

“If they had have kicked straight, we might have been in a bit of trouble. We were fortunate,” McLennan said.

“I always felt we had control of it. There was quite a strong breeze we had in the last quarter.

Kyle Galloway and Thomas Blake battle in the ruck. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We had our big night of the year after the game and my wife told me ‘if I hear a win is a win one more time’.

“We’ve got a tough run home, four of five games away, starting with Greensborough at Greensborough this week.”

Nick Carter and Jordan Perry were outstanding, while Ricky Fandrich and Michael Amad both kicked three goals.

Northcote Park will again be without star forward Jackson Starcevich this weekend as he recovers from a back injury while Lachie Boscarini and Damian Galofaro are also unavailable.

McLennan said Starcevich would not be risked unless he was 100 per cent.

“Across the board, you’re only three players away from being a serious contender or just making up the numbers,” he said.

Tom Keys and Alexander Phokos battle for the ball. Picture: Hamish Blair

Matthew Perry kicks under pressure from Josh Turner. Picture: Hamish Blair

Ricky Fandrich gathers in front of Andrew White. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It’s not the be-all and end-all for me. As I said to him a couple of weeks ago ‘you’ve got 60 or 70 years to carry this body around’.

“Right now it’s just important to get it right, he’s still young, he’s probably got 10 years at this level in front of him as well.”

The Cougars sit fifth after 13 games, two points ahead of Macleod and a game in front of Bundoora, Montmorency and Hurstbridge.

However, a horror run home — including top-three teams Greensborough, North Heidelberg and Heidelberg all away — makes finals a tough ask.

Macleod visits Bill Lawry Oval in Round 16 in Northcote Park’s final home game of 2019.

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