West Preston-Lakeside continues rise up NFL Division 1 ladder, injury woes worsen for Northcote Park

West Preston-Lakeside’s mid-season revival continues as the Roosters’ fourth straight win pushed them into the NFL Division 1 top five, while it was a dark day for Northcote Park.

Nathan Valladares in action for West Preston-Lakeside. Picture: Josie Hayden

West Preston-Lakeside’s remarkable turnaround continued on Saturday with a 38-point win over Northcote Park.

After losing their first six games, the reigning premier is riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak and has leapfrogged Macleod and the Cougars into fifth.

No team in Northern Football League Division 1 history has dropped its first six games and made finals.

“It’s good to see the response from the boys,” West Preston-Lakeside coach Rob Maiorana said.

“Obviously, a slow start for various reasons, but to stick at it, it’s all heading in the right direction to give ourselves a chance (of finals).”

James Tadd in action for West Preston-Lakeside.

In stark contrast, after winning its first four games, Northcote Park has lost its past six and slid to seventh.

The loss was compounded by serious injuries to key forwards Jackson Starcevich (back) and Ash Close (hamstring), while Lachlan Boscarini (hamstring) also sat out significant time.

In driving rain and bitterly cold conditions at Bill Lawry Oval, the Roosters made a strong start kicking five goals in the opening term.

The Cougars hit back in the second quarter, drawing to within five points at half-time and levelling the scores early in the third term.

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However, it was all the Roosters from there as they piled on seven goals to one to complete a 13.7 (85) to 7.5 (47) win.

Makeshift ruckmen Jackson Clarke and James Tadd excelled in combining to limit Northcote big man Kyle Galloway’s influence.

Nathan Valladares impressed in the wet while Ahmed Saad kicked four goals after barely being sighted in the first half.

Maiorana couldn’t fault his players’ performance in trying conditions.

Ash Close suffered a hamstring injury.

Jackson Starcevich injured his back. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Those blokes (Clarke and Tadd) fought manfully, obviously undersized, but they competed well,” he said.

“Our mids had to be smart with their positioning, when you’ve got a dominant ruckman like (Galloway) you’ve got to have more of a defensive mindset.”

The rejuvenated Roosters face their biggest test of the season this weekend when they host undefeated league leader Greensborough.

Maiorana was looking forward to seeing how far his team had come.

“They’re the benchmark, they don’t have a weakness,” he said.

“It’s a good opportunity to measure ourselves against the best in the comp.”

Northcote Park will look to arrest its form slump when it travels to Bundoora.

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