Premier Cricket 2018-19: Northcote looking to bolster depth in effort to challenge flag contenders
Building greater depth will be a priority for Northcote as it looks to rebound from a disappointing Premier Cricket campaign.
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Building greater depth will be a priority for Northcote as it looks to rebound from a disappointing Premier Cricket campaign.
The Dragons had high hopes of climbing the table in their first season under coach Steve Taylor after finishing 16th last summer, but sit in the bottom four with one round remaining.
The absence of key players has not helped Northcote’s cause, with all-rounder Sam Harbinson (nine matches) and paceman Joel Hamilton (six) restricted by injury.
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“Our list at the start of the year looked a lot different to what it looks now,” Taylor said.
“But the clubs with depth are the strong clubs for that reason.
“Injuries do happen, they happen in elite sport, let alone at this level.
“Those clubs with depth and strong Second XIs, they are the ones that have prolonged success and finals success.”
Seven clubs have teams in the top-eight on the First and Second XI ladders — Essendon, Carlton, Fitzroy Doncaster, St Kilda, Monash Tigers, Geelong and Camberwell Magpies.
Taylor said the Dragons were bullish about the depth of young talent in their ranks but would need to weigh up whether recruiting more experience would be beneficial.
“Whether it’s something we want to pursue moving forward, we’re not sure,” he said.
“It was more about buying time. We have got a lot of really good 15-16 year olds.
“It was more about filling in that gap to get those guys through. But that’s something we need to discuss.”
Batsman Mark Phelan (668 runs) has been a shining light, averaging 47.71 in a career-best campaign which has featured three hundreds.
Josh Sundberg (505 runs) and Taylor (395 runs) have been solid contributors with the bat, however the absence of Harbinson and Hamilton has been sorely felt with the ball.
“Before (Harbinson) went down he was as good as any bowler in the competition form-wise,” Taylor said.
“He was flying. That injury has really hurt us. We have struggled to replace him.”
Englishman George Garton has been the Dragons leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps, while Northcote has only dismissed its opposition three times to Round 14.
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