NORTHCOTE PARK produced an upset win over West Preston-Lakeside, proving it may still be Division 1 finals threat with a 32-point victory at J.E. Moore Park on Sunday.
The Cougars put in a dominant display, particularly in the first term and late in the third to set up the 13.14 (92) to 8.12 (60) win in Round 12.
It was a see-sawing affair throughout the afternoon, with the first quarter belonging to the Cougars and the second quarter to the Roosters. Very little split the sides in the third quarter, until the last five minutes.
With shades of another draw between the sides beginning to appear, the Cougars were able to slam on the throttle late in the third term to pull away, which ultimately set up the big win.
The first quarter was dominated by the Cougars. They completely blew the Roosters off the park, slamming home five goals to none in a dominant display of attacking footy at its best.
They went into the second term with a 34-point quarter-time lead, which could have been more but for the siren halting another Northcote Park forward surge. The Cougars were full of running and completely shell-shocked the third-placed Roosters, who had less than five entries into their forward 50 in the opening term.
A strong showing in the second term was needed by the Roosters and they didn’t disappoint. They stormed through the former wilderness, their forward 50, and were able to kick the first four goals of the term to get within nine points of the Cougars.
Lachlan Thorp was able to momentarily halt the home side’s resurgence, running into the open goal to kick the Cougars’ first for the term. However, the Roosters finished the term much better, slamming home the next two goals to go into the second half trailing by just one point.
The Cougars lost all of their momentum in the second quarter, while the Roosters proved why they are top three material.
The third term was very contested, with neither team looking like scoring for the first 15 minutes. Then, the Cougars were able to find something special.
It was Ben Irving who finally broke the drought, nailing his set shot from beyond the 50m arc to get the Cougars’ faithful on their feet again.
Will DeBruin then followed with another, kicking the Cougars’ second in quick succession to give them a 13-point lead. And they weren’t done there. Lachlan Boscarini was able to close out the quarter in fine fashion for the visitors, kicking their third for the term to set up a 20-point three-quarter time lead.
The Roosters needed a replica of their second quarter performance in the last term but early signs didn’t look good. The Cougars went on the attack in the first phase of the quarter and kicked two quick goals to amass a 32-point lead.
It was Koden Colman who put the Cougars up 32 points, having been delivered a pearl from Bronik Davies. He slotted the set shot to kick what seemed to be the sealer at the time.
The Cougars were pushing their foot on the throttle, dominating possession and playing an attacking brand of football. But a costly back line error allowed Oliver Dufficy to pounce for the Roosters and kick his second goal.
It sparked a mini revival, with Dufficy kicking his third – and second in a row – to get his side within 20 points and with all the momentum.
However, Colman and Wade Demasi all but ended a very unlikely West Preston revival as they kicked the Cougars clear and led them to a massive win – one which gives them a slight finals hope heading into the final third of the Division 1 season.
Doug Morris, Michael O’Connell and Luke Svarc were the Cougars’ best in a big win, whilst Michael Batey, Peter Shepherd and Shaun Gannon tried hard in a shock defeat for the Roosters.
Northcote Park returns home to take on Heidelberg in the first week of the upcoming split round, whilst the Roosters are back at home to take on Whittlesea in a week’s time.
Final score: West Preston-Lakeside 8.12 (60) def by Northcote Park 13.14 (92)
