NORTHCOTE Park secured its place in the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 finals series for the second-straight season after a gruelling 27-point victory over Montmorency in Round 18.
With Montmorency holding a percentage advantage over the Cougars heading into the final round, the last spot in the finals came down to this early elimination final at Montmorency Park.
The Cougars’ rich vein of form continued, recording their sixth win from their past seven games, helping them leapfrog the Magpies into fifth spot on the ladder to secure a finals berth.
After numerous momentum shifts, the Cougars were able to withstand everything the Magpies threw at them, powering home in the second half to run out 15.14 (104) to 10.17 (77) winners.
Montmorency went inside its forward 50 on countless occasions early in proceedings but was spurned of several scoring opportunities due to inaccuracy.
The Magpies booted six behinds before putting through their first major and should have led by more than one point at half time.
It was Northcote Park who attacked the contest with greater vigour after the restart, kicking nine goals from 18 scoring shots to surge into the top five.
Gerard Sutton’s run off half back was crucial in the Cougars’ victory, while Ash Close was lively all game and got more damaging as it progressed, finishing with three goals for the visitors.
Jordan Perry was the best of the midfielders for the Cougars and was solid in the tight contests, working well with counterpart Bronik Davies, whose ball use stood out in overcast conditions.
Montmorency’s two big men, Joel McLellan and Patrick Fitzgerald, were unstoppable at times both up forward and in the ruck, with Fitzgerald booting four goals as his side’s only multiple goal kicker.
Luke Collins, Jesse Donaldson and Daniel Keenan flourished under the tap work of McLellan and Fitzgerald, more often than not gaining first possession out of the centre.
The pace of the game was frenetic in the first quarter which triggered a seesawing affair.
Montmorency had the momentum early despite missing its goal scoring opportunities, and a quick rebound out of defence saw Koden Colman kick the first goal of the game for Northcote Park.
Fitzgerald kicked the next two goals for the home side after it registered eight behinds for the quarter.
However, three goals to the Cougars in two minutes via Brock McLennan, Ash Close and Mannon Johnston gave the visitors a nine-point lead at the first break.
The Magpies started to gain ascendancy around the ground in the second quarter, and two goals to the dominant Fitzgerald and a single to Tom Davis was enough for the home side to have its nose in front at half time.
Courtesy of a 50m penalty, Ben Fennell kicked things off with the first goal of the second half to extend the margin.
But just as the Magpies were looking the more damaging side, the Cougars were able to respond with three goals through Close, Colman and Julian Violato to regain the lead – but momentum in the game was facile.
Montmorency rallied after the Cougar blitz, kicking the next two goals to set up a nail biting affair.
But the Cougars found the spirit to fight back in the topsy-turvy tussle, extending the lead at three-quarter time to 13 points after late goals to Fandrich and Colman.
Stephen McCallum was found on his own in the forward line and put through the all-important first goal of the last quarter for the Magpies to reduce the deficit.
But late goals to Violato, Luke Svarc and Josh Turner were enough to seal the win for the Cougars and put an end to the Magpies’ season.
Northcote Park will now face off against Bundoora in the elimination final at Preston City Oval on Sunday, where the winner will progress through to the first semi final.
Final score: Montmorency 10.17 (77) def by Northcote Park 15.14 (104)
