NORTHCOTE PARK football manager John Matthew says the club will boast a midfield that will be the envy of other Northern Football League sides in 2014.
The Cougars have signed former Essendon on-baller Hal Hunter (pictured right), after his release from the Bombers, and Epping’s Daniel Santoro and Shannon Ciavarella.
The additions will give last year’s beaten preliminary finalist a bevy of midfield options.
Matthew said Hunter’s uncompromising style would make him a valuable addition.
“He was delisted after two years on their list and has a connection with a lot of the young guys here,” Matthew said.
“He’s exceptionally tough and at league level they felt he was a little bit too kamikaze and used to put himself in dangerous positions all the time.”
Hunter played 13 games in Essendon’s VFL side last season.
Talented half back Luke Svarc has also signed from Essendon District Football League club Essendon Doutta Stars, while Paul Dirago, Will De Bruin and Paul Scanlon have all re-signed with the club.
Dirago and De Bruin will play for the club when they are not selected for VFL sides Northern Blues and Collingwood respectively.
Matthew said former Western Bulldogs tall Tim Walsh (pictured below) was determined to improve on his output from 2013 and announce himself as one of the competition’s premier key forwards.
Walsh booted 13 goals in 17 games with the Cougars last season.
“We’re hoping Tim Walsh will have a big year,” Matthew said.
“Last year was his first year in the Northern and sometimes with the bigger guys it takes them a while to adapt.
“He played some good solid games, but we were hoping for a bit more output from him.”
Matthew said Walsh could find support up forward from mobile ruckman Jai Middleton, who has re-signed after an injury-riddled campaign last year.
He said the spread of talent at Bill Lawry Oval would provide Northcote Park with a formidable midfield and a real opportunity to emulate its 2012 premiership success.
“I don’t think it would be a stretch to say we’d probably have the premier midfield combination in the competition,” he said.
This article is courtesy of Leader Newspaper.
