By Roy Ward
ANOTHER round, another Noble Park comeback victory. The two-time Eastern Football League premiers overcame a three-quarter-time deficit, and their own poor kicking, to beat East Burwood by 19 points on Saturday.
Entering the final change, the Bulls were down by two points before kicking five goals to none in the final term as classy midfielder Ziggy Alwan turned on his best form to lead his side home. Alwan finished best on ground and added three goals.
Bulls coach Mick Fogarty praised his players’ desire and tenacity but was again concerned by their inability to take their goal-scoring opportunities. The side notched 17 behinds in the first three terms.
“Our boys have a great belief in themselves regardless of the score; they feel they can still win back games if they do the right things,” he said. “Realistically, we could have gone in at half-time four or five goals ahead but we couldn’t impact on the scoreboard.”
Fogarty tagged Alwan as a player capable of taking his talent to higher levels. “He is a wonderful player and I can’t speak highly enough about him and the leadership he has shown. He could play at a higher level, for sure.
“I would like to think that with his work and other commitments it might make it difficult for him to go, but he could walk into any VFL side as a third forward right now.”
The Bulls have some form for sending players to higher levels. Hundred-goal full forward Tory Dickson went to the VFL last season before being drafted by Western Bulldogs.
Bulls ruckman Stuart Cleeve also turned on a big performance against former Hawthorn ruckman Robert Campbell from East Burwood. Rob Kemperman in the back line and Stewart Kemperman in the midfield also had a major impact on the match.
Bulls midfielder Nick Williams pulled out of the side on game day but is expected to play next round.
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