Fast transition key to Northcote Park’s Northern Football League success under first-year coach Harmit Singh

NORTHCOTE Park hopes a slingshot style of football will rocket it up the Northern Football League ladder in its first season under new coach Harmit Singh.

Northcote Park football club has unveiled Harmit Singh as its new Northern Football League coach for season 2015. Picture: Josie Hayden

NORTHCOTE Park hopes a slingshot style of football will rocket it up the Northern Football League ladder in its first season under new coach Harmit Singh.

The Cougars have been developing a game style based on a sound defence and breakneck transition over pre-season as they aim to return to Division 1 finals.

“It’s a brand that is obviously defensively based, for me that’s what wins finals,” Singh said.

“But also the ability that once we win the ball to transition very quickly.

“I think our speed of ball will be very important, we’ve worked on that all pre-season.

Collingwood’s Jordan Collopy will play for Northcote Park when his VFL commitments permit. Picture: Stuart Walmsley.

“It’s obviously important to get numbers back and restrict the opposition, but once (we) win it, we’ll move the ball as quick as most sides.”

Several Northcote Park players have been training at VFL clubs, with their level of involvement over the NFL season still unclear.

Singh said seven members of the club’s senior squad, including Ash Close (Collingwood), Ben McNiece and Jesse Bowe (both Essendon), could play VFL this year.

“It’s probably going to be a juggling act for those VFL guys when they do come back to make sure they settle in quite well and can play the roles,” he said.

“They’re all quality players and we’ll look forward to having them back whenever they’re available.”

The Cougars’ preparations took a significant step forward with a visit to Singh’s former club Morwell over the weekend.

“We stayed there the night and used it as a development weekend too, it was really good,” he said.

“We had a really good win, they’re a strong side.”

Singh said one of the club’s greatest assets this season would be the bond its playing group shares.

“Everyone is very close at the football club which is fantastic,” he said.

“We stayed together in the social rooms (in Morwell) as part of our camp.

“In terms of new recruits, a few of them did play ... but there’s still probably eight or nine we’ll bring in over the next couple of weeks that just weren’t quite ready to go.”

Northcote Park’s 2015 campaign starts under lights on Friday, April 10 against West Preston-Lakeside.