NORTHCOTE PARK sent a message to its Division 1 rivals following a commanding opening-round defeat of West Preston-Lakeside under lights at Bill Lawry Oval.
The new-look Cougars were ruthless against the Roosters, slamming through six unanswered third quarter goals en route to a 58-point victory.
Despite Northcote Park’s dominance, West Preston-Lakeside started the opening term the brighter of the two sides, with Shaun Gannon and David Rodan excellent in the clinches as the Roosters kicked an early goal – the only time they would lead in the match.
However, the Cougars found their groove as the quarter progressed, with sharp ball movement allowing them to open up a nine-point buffer at the quarter time break despite a sublime finish from the arc from Rodan.
Northcote Park began the second term with a Wayne Schultz goal, before Tarkyn Lockyer made no mistake from 45 metres out after receiving a downfield free kick.
A further goal to Ash Close left the Roosters in deep trouble; staring at a 25-point deficit, they were being beaten not only in the contest, but also for leg speed.
The Cougars were simply more desperate, with Jacob Mitchell denying Jacob Ramaekers a certain goal after brilliantly bringing him down in the goal square.
Ramaekers eventually kicked a badly needed goal against the run of play for West Preston-Lakeside, however two further Northcote Park goals – one from a horrendous turnover on the half-back flank – extended the margin to five straight kicks.
A spark was needed for the Roosters and it seemingly came by way of an incredible Andrew Dobby snap. Pressed tightly in the forward pocket, Dobby snapped truly, quickly halting the Northcote Park momentum to bring the deficit back down to a manageable 23 points at the long break.
The ensuing third quarter was a green and gold procession, as West Preston-Lakeside wilted under manic Cougar pressure.
Close slotted through his third major from close range, Jake Mills curled through an opportunistic crumbing goal before Brock McLennan’s relentless tackling up forward allowed Lockyer to stroll into an open goal.
The Cougars were playing an exciting brand of football, moving the ball with precision and ease through the corridor.
West Preston-Lakeside’s nightmarish quarter grew worse when Luke Svarc’s wobbly left-foot snap from 50 sailed through, and Jacob Mitchell threaded the ball home from a tight set shot in front of the Northcote Park faithful.
Lockyer’s running goal from just inside the centre square extinguished even the most optimistic of Rooster fans’ doubts about the result; a three-quarter-time lead of 60 points ensured the McNiece/Mellerick Cup would be remaining at Bill Lawry Oval.
To their credit, West Preston-Lakeside’s players did not bow their heads and outscored Northcote Park in the fourth quarter.
Dobby’s effort throughout the game was rewarded with a second goal in the opening minute of the term, with both sides trading goals before the Cougars ran out comfortable winners.
Svarc was exceptional, architecting many of the Cougar’s thrusts forward. Oliver McEwan was a colossus in the ruck, whilst Close and Lockyer gave Cougar fans a glimpse of the potency they possess up forward.
West Preston-Lakeside had few winners on the night, with Dobby, Brad Sanderson and Rodan able to hold their heads high.
Northcote Park will head to Panther Place this week to face Eltham, while Leigh Cole will search for his first win as senior coach against newly-promoted North Heidelberg.
Final score: Northcote Park 17.9 (111) def West Preston-Lakeside 7.11 (53)
