The Northern Knights have endured three particularly dark years, but the club looks to be emerging into the light.
The Knights finished 10th in 2014 (with a record of 6-11), 10th in 2015 (4-13) and 12th in 2016 (4-12) after reaching a semi final in 2013, but a 2-1 start to 2017 and a list full of talent will have them thinking of a return to September action.
Northern was dominant in the early days of the TAC Cup. The Knights won four consecutive premierships from 1993-96 but haven’t reached a Grand Final since, and Talent Manager Rhy Gieschen said earlier this year it was time for a change.
“We want to bring the Knights back to being one of the stronger TAC Cup regions,” Gieschen said. “Going through a pretty poor year last year has probably really galvanised the playing group and they want to have some more on-field success.
“About midway through last year we made a real effort to put time and effort into some of our bottom-age players – they played every game when they were available for us and in key roles. We think that will hold us in pretty good stead this year.”
That effort to blood bottom-age players in 2016 is bearing fruit now.
2017 captain Nick Coffield played every game last year and the rebounding defender became the match-winning forward in Northern’s 16-point victory over the Western Jets in Round 1, booting four second-half goals to go with his 22 disposals.
In the same game, Marcus Lentini (13 games in 2016) had a match-high 31 disposals, while Alex Federico (eight games) was influential in the contests with 22 disposals and seven clearances and Patrick Naish (nine games - pictured) dynamic inside 50 with two goals.
Last week against the Eastern Ranges, Joel Naylor (nine games in 2016) was the hero of Northern’s 15-point victory with six goals. Ethan Penrith (17 games) had a round-high 13 tackles and Jack Petruccelle – who burst onto the scene in two games late in 2016 – had 19 disposals and six inside-50s.
Gieschen’s investment in the future late last year may yet take the club back to the glories of its past.
Round 3 keys to victory:
17: The Gippsland Power marked and disposed of the ball less than Bendigo in their 26-point victory over the Pioneers, but did the tough stuff better with 17 more contested possessions and eight more clearances. Sale junior Nick Hogan (16 contested possessions and nine clearances) and Traralgon product Nick Lowden (13 and six) were the Power’s best in the clinches.
73: The Sandringham Dragons effectively monopolised possession in their 64-point win against the Western Jets. Last year’s premiers had 73 more uncontested marks and 134 more uncontested possessions than the Jets, with Old Brighton junior Quintin Montanaro finding the space to rack up round-highs of 10 uncontested marks and 21 uncontested possessions.
16: The Dandenong Stingrays proved the benefit of accurate kicking for goal in their 20-point triumph over the GWV Rebels, getting the win despite having the same number of shots on goal (16.6 to 12.10). Rosebud product Jai Nanscawen (4.1) and Crib Point junior Bailey Williams (three goals straight) were Dandy’s chief dead-eyes.
Round 3 stats leaders:
KICKS |
|
|
|
Adam Cerra |
Eastern Ranges |
28 |
|
Ben Caluzzi |
Calder Cannons |
23 |
|
Nick Hogan |
Gippsland Power |
21 |
|
Mackenzie Doreian |
Eastern Ranges |
19 |
|
Caleb Sheahan |
Bendigo Pioneers |
18 |
|
Gryan Miers |
Geelong Falcons |
18 |
|
Callan Wellings |
GWV Rebels |
18 |
|
Matthew Day |
Oakleigh Chargers |
18 |
|
Lachlan Gill |
Bendigo Pioneers |
17 |
|
Angus Schumacher |
Bendigo Pioneers |
17 |
|
Will Donaghey |
Murray Bushrangers |
17 |
|
Oliver Stapleton |
Northern Knights |
17 |
|
Jean-Luc Velissaris |
Calder Cannons |
16 |
|
Harry Benson |
Geelong Falcons |
16 |
|
Xavier O'Neill |
Oakleigh Chargers |
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
HANDBALLS |
|
|
|
Darby Henderson |
Bendigo Pioneers |
23 |
|
Cassidy Parish |
Geelong Falcons |
15 |
|
Ben Paton |
Murray Bushrangers |
14 |
|
Andrew Brayshaw |
Sandringham Dragons |
14 |
|
Charlie Thompson |
Oakleigh Chargers |
13 |
|
Sebastian Williams |
Sandringham Dragons |
13 |
|
Matthew McGannon |
Gippsland Power |
13 |
|
Max Dreher |
Northern Knights |
13 |
|
Howie Persson |
Sandringham Dragons |
13 |
|
Laitham Vandeermeer |
Murray Bushrangers |
13 |
|
Callan Wellings |
GWV Rebels |
12 |
|
Mitch Cotter |
Dandenong Stingrays |
12 |
|
Bailey Smith |
Sandringham Dragons |
12 |
|
Jacob Atley |
Bendigo Pioneers |
12 |
|
Oscar Brownless |
Geelong Falcons |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
MARKS |
|
|
|
Quintin Montanaro |
Sandringham Dragons |
10 |
|
Angus Schumacher |
Bendigo Pioneers |
9 |
|
Mitchell Kemp |
Bendigo Pioneers |
9 |
|
Ben Paton |
Murray Bushrangers |
8 |
|
Kyle Clarke |
Murray Bushrangers |
8 |
|
Lachlan Gill |
Bendigo Pioneers |
8 |
|
Ryan Bruce |
Murray Bushrangers |
8 |
|
Caleb Sheahan |
Bendigo Pioneers |
8 |
|
Isaac Morrisby |
Sandringham Dragons |
8 |
|
Matthew McGannon |
Gippsland Power |
7 |
|
Angus Styles |
Sandringham Dragons |
7 |
|
Jordon Butts |
Murray Bushrangers |
7 |
|
Ari Sakeson |
Sandringham Dragons |
7 |
|
Sean Masterson |
Gippsland Power |
7 |
|
Aaron Trusler |
Sandringham Dragons |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
HITOUTS |
|
|
|
Julian Patterson |
Gippsland Power |
33 |
|
Ethan Casey |
Sandringham Dragons |
30 |
|
Lloyd Meek |
GWV Rebels |
29 |
|
Matthew Harman |
Northern Knights |
29 |
|
Joel Grace |
Northern Knights |
28 |
|
Ben Kelly |
Murray Bushrangers |
27 |
|
Nathan White |
Oakleigh Chargers |
26 |
|
Jobee Warde |
Bendigo Pioneers |
23 |
|
Anthony Jenkins |
Oakleigh Chargers |
20 |
|
Hayden Elliot |
Geelong Falcons |
17 |
|
Mike Washington |
Calder Cannons |
17 |
|
Daniel Hanna |
Calder Cannons |
16 |
|
Tom Roberts |
Dandenong Stingrays |
15 |
|
Tom Hogan |
Dandenong Stingrays |
12 |
|
Lukas Essenwanger |
GWV Rebels |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
TACKLES |
|
|
|
Liam Middleton |
Calder Cannons |
13 |
|
Ethan Penrith |
Northern Knights |
13 |
|
Ben Caluzzi |
Calder Cannons |
12 |
|
Tynan Smith |
Northern Knights |
11 |
|
Andrew Brayshaw |
Sandringham Dragons |
11 |
|
Harrison Jones |
Murray Bushrangers |
10 |
|
Trent Reed |
GWV Rebels |
10 |
|
Charlie Thompson |
Oakleigh Chargers |
10 |
|
Jack Hewitt |
Oakleigh Chargers |
10 |
|
Adrian Kalcovski |
Eastern Ranges |
10 |
|
Luke Hitch |
Western Jets |
10 |
|
Toby Wooller |
Oakleigh Chargers |
9 |
|
Lucas Woodward |
Eastern Ranges |
9 |
|
Angus Hicks |
Murray Bushrangers |
9 |
|
Ben McIntosh |
Murray Bushrangers |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
2017 LEADING GOALKICKERS |
Last round |
Total |
David Handley |
Geelong Falcons |
2 |
9 |
Gryan Miers |
Geelong Falcons |
3 |
9 |
Brent Daniels |
Bendigo Pioneers |
4 |
9 |
Toby Wooller |
Oakleigh Chargers |
3 |
8 |
Jaidyn Stephenson |
Eastern Ranges |
DNP |
8 |
Riley D'Arcy |
Dandenong Stingrays |
3 |
7 |
Charlie Whitehead |
Oakleigh Chargers |
4 |
7 |
Isaac Morrisby |
Sandringham Dragons |
4 |
7 |
Aaron Trusler |
Sandringham Dragons |
4 |
6 |
Jordon Reid |
Geelong Falcons |
1 |
6 |
Related content:
REVIEW: TAC Cup Round 3
STATS CENTRAL: Falcons flying forward
Last Modified on 11/04/2017 15:20