Cougars not shying away from Roosters challenge


Published on Friday, April 7, 2017

Author : Mick Mattingly

Northcote Park will be welcomed to the 2017 Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 season by a full strength West-Preston Lakeside outfit tonight at Bill Lawry Oval.

Speaking to NFL.org.au this week, Northcote Park senior coach Matt McLennan said the Cougars are more than ready for the challenge ahead after a strong pre-season.

“We’ve been really good with our preparation. We’ve had three really good games against Fitzroy Stars, Moama and finished off with a match against Old Xaverians at home,” he said.

McLennan is aware the Cougars are one game behind West Preston-Lakeside in preparation, after the Roosters accounted for reigning premier Heidelberg by 13 points in a high-quality Round 1 match last Saturday.

However, McLennan isn’t sold that Northcote Park is at any disadvantage.

“I went to the game on Saturday and got a good look at the way they are setting up, so in a way it’s also an advantage to us. It’s a bit of a double edged sword,” he said

“They’ve probably got that one little bit of extra match fitness that you can’t replicate in a practice match, but they could have a few knocks and bruises too.”

West Preston-Lakeside hasn’t gone unnoticed in the off-season, bringing in big name recruits Ahmed Saad, Andrew Walker and Mathew Stokes, all who come with a wealth of AFL experience.

Saad started his Northern Football League career with a bang, kicking seven majors to help the Roosters get across the line against the Tigers in Round 1.

McLennan wouldn’t give much away when asked how he plans to deal with the former St Kilda and Coburg Lions forward.

“Most coaches would say the same thing and hold their cards close to their chest. I think the obvious answer is to limit his supply as much as possible. If he gets the football he’s going to hurt you.”

McLennan expects tall defender Paul Dirago to have a big impact for his team this season after crossing from Hampden League club Terang-Mortlake.

Dirago spent six years at the Northern Blues in the Victorian Football League before coaching at Terang in 2016, and comes to the Cougars as a playing-assistant coach.

“He’s one of our juniors so we’ve always had a good connection,” McLennan said.

“To be honest I’m more of an old-school type, motivator coach. Paul brings more of the modern football smarts and we have worked together really well so far.”

Northcote Park has named a strong side for tonight’s game, including Collingwood VFL listed players Marty Hore, Jackson Starcevich, Jordan Collopy and Ash Close after they were left out of a near full-strength Magpies team.

The first bounce takes place at 7:30pm.

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