The Cougars trailed for the best part of three quarters before kicking seven of the final eight goals to claim an 18.9 (117) to 15.5 (95).
The loss relegated the Panthers to sixth place – the first time the side has slipped outside the top five since back in Round 2.
It was a fighting effort by Northcote Park who three times clawed back from 18 points behind to claim its sixth win of the season.
Anthony Hogan was superb across half back, winning plenty of contested ball and distributing it always to the advantage of a teammate.
Through the midfield, youngster Doug Morris led the way with run and carry all day, while Bronik Davies and Paul Scanlon again showed why they are arguably the best midfield duo in the competition.
With Steve Foster controlling the ruck and giving his on-ballers first use, Eltham was able to regularly score directly from stoppages early in the game. Foster twice palmed perfectly to David Folino from boundary throw-ins for goals.
However, the Panthers could never extend past a three-goal margin – allowing Northcote Park to always stay in the contest.
Davies and Joseph Woonton (three goals) were able to kick majors in the final five minutes of the third quarter which left Eltham with just a four point lead at three-quarter time despite leading by three goals for the best part of the third quarter.
Woonton’s goal was interesting to say the least. Foster was perfectly positioned to take a mark at half forward, only to be called out of the contest by Brad Perry. That enabled Hogan to take an intercepting mark for the Cougars, before switching the ball inboard to Nyaburu Kelly who in turn passed 55m to a loose Woonton in the goal square.
It may have only been one play in a 120-minute contest, but in the scheme of things it had a massive bearing on the final result and very well may have bigger repercussions for Eltham come season’s end if it misses out on a place in the finals.
Woonton put the Cougars in front one minute into the final quarter when he received a push in the back in the goal square and converted. It was the first time his side had led since the 22-minute mark of the second quarter.
Mark Keenan (three goals) booted a quick reply when he marked deep in the forward pocket and kicked truly from just inside the boundary, however it was to be Eltham’s final goal for the day as the visitor went on a four-goal onslaught.
Morris pegged back the lead for Northcote Park when he too converted from a push in the back free kick, before Daniel Rajab kicked his second goal of the day after receiving a lovely 50m pass from Scanlon.
Rajab was again on the receiving end of wonderful build up play and took a diving mark from a Davies pass 40m out from goal. He calmly slotted his second consecutive major and stretched the Cougars’ lead to 16 points.
Eltham – led by gut-busting running from Braydn Taglieri and Ricky Jessop from the centre of the ground – worked hard to get back into the contest, but a crucial 30m miss by Keenan dented its chance of a comeback.
Davies sealed the contest with five minutes remaining on the clock when he yanked the football from two Eltham opponents and snapped truly from 40m out – the goal his second of the day.
Eltham had earlier started the day well and raced to a 12-point lead courtesy of three goals in the opening eight minutes of the game.
One of those was a goal of the year contender. Following a Ricky Jessop goal, Foster perfectly guided the resulting centre bounce to Jessop who handballed it to Chris Varsamakis in space for a long 55m goal.
It was a goal that displayed the best of Eltham, with Foster emerging as one of the premier ruckman in the competition. If he can continue to flourish over the next five weeks, Eltham will still certainly threaten for a finals finish.
Shortly after, Tom Richardson was red-carded for an off the ball dispute with Woonton, which enabled Northcote Park to kick its second goal of the game.
An attacking opening term netted 12 goals, with Eltham kicking seven of those and taking a 12-point lead into the quarter-time break.
However, for all the entertaining play, there were also some costly and, at times, inexcusable, turnovers from half back from both sides which both coaches addressed in their quarter-time speeches.
The second quarter was a close struggle, with Northcote Park managing four goals to three to trim the margin to six points at the main break.
The Cougars finished the game with more run and drive, and Eltham’s inability to keep the scoreboard ticking over proved costly. The Panthers kicked only eight goals after the first stanza, compared to Northcote Park’s 13.
Northcote Park can now strengthen its place inside the top five next weekend when it looks for a fourth consecutive win over bottom-placed Lower Plenty, while Eltham faces a road trip to De Winton Park to play Macleod.
Final score: Eltham 15.5 (95) def by Northcote Park 18.9 (117)
