Northcote Park cemented its place inside the top four of the Division 1 ladder with a 20-point win over Eltham in Round 13.
The Cougars led at every change and had to hold off a late charge by the Panthers to secure the 15.12 (102) to 11.16 (82) win at Eltham Central Park.
Up forward for the Cougars, Tim Walsh kicked three goals with Doug Morris, Paul Scanlon, Kane Maghamez, Koden Colman and Patrick O’Connell all slotting two apiece.
Down the other end, Matthew Williamson booted four goals with James Kroussoratis the Panthers’ only other multiple goal scorer with three majors.
Eltham came out of the blocks quickly and built an early lead following two long goals to Williamson.
Northcote Park was able to steady and pinch the lead as it kicked the next three goals, with Colman slotting his only two majors for the day.
Trailing by six points at the first break, the Panthers went into the second term fired up and look to hit the scoreboard hard. But the Northcote Park defence held firm, allowing just two goals for the quarter.
The Cougars were able to rebound well and take their chances inside 50m, slotting three goals of their own to take a 12-point lead going into the main break.
Needing to win to keep alive its hopes of a top three finish, Northcote Park ran rampant early in the third quarter as they looked to put the game beyond doubt.
The Cougars kicked the first four goals of the term to extend their lead to 34 points, with Eltham’s wayward kicking also a factor.
The home side was able to get the last two goals of the quarter through Kroussoratis to keep in touch, but a wasteful 2.5 for the quarter meant the Panthers’ 20-point deficit was larger than it otherwise should have been.
The Panthers then looked like over-running Northcote Park early in the final term, as they brought the lead back to just two goals.
However, two late goals to Kane Maghamez put the Cougars’ lead beyond doubt at 26 points. Eltham fought its hardest to get back but to no avail.
In his sixth game back from injury, veteran Paul Scanlon played his best game of the season pushing through the midfield and kicked two majors. Julian Violato and Tim Walsh were also instrumental in the victory.
For the Panthers, Tom Rogers was best with a superb match running off half back. Returning midfielder Brendan O’Sullivan and Billy Glasgow also tried valiantly in a losing effort.
After the bye Northcote Park faces in-form West Preston-Lakeside in what looks to be a cracking matchup. Eltham will be looking to win back fifth place when it takes on Epping at Epping Recreation Reserve.
Final score: Eltham 11.16 (82) def by Northcote Park 15.12 (102)
