Northcote looks to build First XI success after back-to-back Second XI flags

Northcote is confident its back-to-back Second XI premiership success can offset a number of key departures and keep the club in the Premier Cricket finals hunt.

Aaron Crispe rolls the arm over for Northcote. Picture: Andy Brownbill

There’s a changing of the guard at Northcote.

Five senior players have departed over the winter and the Premier Cricket club is “excited” by the opportunities that that has opened up.

The Dragons’ Second XI is coming off consecutive premierships and the club will look to bring that success to the First XI.

A strong finish to the 2023-24 campaign saw the club clinch eighth but bow out of the finals race at the hands of Geelong in an elimination final.

After seeing Brody Couch go from Bill Lawry Oval to a Western Australia contract, Queenslander Jackson Smith has moved to Melbourne in the hope of winning his own First Class deal.

Jack Lalor in action for Northcote. Picture: Andy Brownbill

And after a prolific year in the Second XI, Mickey Hay has jumped across from Footscray.

However, the likes of Couch, Jonty Rushton, Jaga Koduru, Mark Phelan and skipper Blayde Baker will be difficult to replace.

Northcote coach Warren Pereara said opportunity created excitement around the club.

“It’s sad we’ve had a few retirements and people leave but that’s a normal evolution of cricket.

“What’s it’s done it provide a lot of excitement and exuberance around the group and the pre-season has probably been on of our better ones.

“There’s going to be so many opportunities in all grades.

“We’re excited because there’s no use winning consecutive Second XI flags if you don’t see progression within your club and no we’ve got the opportunity for guys to progress their careers.

“We’re looking for big seasons and exciting things from someone like Tearan Gleeson and the growing emergence of Archie Lalor.

Joe Medew-Ewen in action for Northcote. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Leo Manteit comes into the picture as a fast bowling, Mitch Lawson comes into contention as a wicketkeeper and we want people like Will Blair, Roby Lane and Will Waters to be putting pressure on.”

Despite the departures, Northcote retains a strong core, led by captain Josh Sundberg and star all-rounder Jack Lalor.

Lalor was the club’s leading run-scorer last season, posting 492 runs – as well 12 wickets – to earn back-to-back Team of the Year honours.

Rushton finished with 483, Sundberg 426 and Koduru 401 runs.

In his first season at the club Couch led the attack with 31 wickets, while star spinner Joe Medew-Ewen snagged 22.

Blair and Corey Perrett were among the leading run-scorers in the Second XI competition, while Lane and Manteit both finished top-10 in wickets.

Lalor and Sam Harbinson spent the winter playing List A cricket in Ireland, while Lane played locally in England.

The competition for spots has Pereara confident the club can build on last season’s successes.

“We’re still aiming, as we always have, for finals,” he said.

“We’ve got a good base with people like Crispey (Aaron Crispe), Josh, Jack, Joey and Harbo that have played a lot of cricket.

“Then you’ve got guys that have played 20 to 40 games and guys that haven’t played senior cricket.

“We firmly believe we can compete with anyone and who knows where that takes us.”

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Josh Sundberg retains the First XI captaincy, while Jack Lalor will serve as vice-captain and lead the T20 side.

Michael Rogneda has been appointed Second XI captain, Ryan Siede the Thirds skipper and Cameron Fitzgerald will lead the Fourths.

The Dragons kick off the Premier Cricket season on Saturday with a trip to the Albert Ground to face Melbourne.

After three away fixtures, the club is fixtured to return to Bill Lawry Oval in Round 4 against Ringwood.