By JARROD POTTER
A MEANDERING first half was put to rest after the main break as Noble Park thumped home 16 goals to register a 86-point win over East Burwood to win the Blue Ribbon Shield.
With score near level at half time, the home side with a narrow three-point lead, Bulls coach Mick Fogarty switched up the strategy – pushing George Angelopoulos into the midfield and getting the ball in long and fast to the forward targets Matt Dunne (six goals) and Brett Dore (two).
A 10-goal last quarter sealed the deal for the Bulls while at the opposite end their defenders restricted the Rams to two goals after half time.
“First half credit to East Burwood they killed us around the footy,” Fogarty said.
“With due respect, our work rate wasn’t at regular level.
“Fortunately, our back line was able to hold up with good ball movement into their forward 50.”
Fogarty’s go-to men were a trio he banked on consistently last season throughout the injury crisis – Angelopoulos and the Kemperman brothers – Stewart and Robert.
He also highlighted new recruit Brett Dore who had impressed the coach with his attack at the footy.
“Put George onto the footy and he gave us a lot of energy and run,” Fogarty said.
“George was terrific and so were the Kempermans.
“Brett Dore up forward was amazing.
“He’s a genuine star at this level – just his work rate and first and second efforts were great.”
Noble Park did this for the most part without Luke Mann (ankle) and Shayne Allen (hamstring) – both injured before half time, with Mann coming back on in the third quarter before being rested.
A back concern for captain Craig Anderson will see him sidelined for a couple of weeks as well, but Fogarty looked to the positives.
“Luke Mann was off in the first minute and a half with a rolled ankle and Shayne Allen did a hamstring,” Fogarty said.
“Craig Anderson with a back issue will miss one or two as well.
“They’re not season ending injuries which is good – they’ll be back soon.”
The Bulls head to Blackburn this weekend with the retention of top spot on the EFL ladder on the line.
EFL SCOREBOARD
East Burwood 3.1 5.2 5.5 7.11 (53)
Noble Park 4.1 5.5 11.10 21.13 (139)
NOBLE PARK
Goals: M. Dunne 6, G. Angelopoulos 3, B. Dore 2, S. Goedheer 2, T. Mitchem 2, A. McConnell, T. Kelly, S. Cleeve, A. Dunne, S. Allan, L. Mann.
Best: T. Kelly, B. Dore, S. Kemperman, G. Angelopoulos, R. Kemperman, M. Dunne.
EAST BURWOOD
Goals: M. Mariani 2, M. Holland, S. Kilduff, J. Duman, M. Jessop, J. Read.
Best: M. Holland, J. Read, N. Gray, S. Kilduff, J. May.
