By JARROD POTTER
Eastern Football League – round 11
DOING it for their captain and friend, Noble Park shook off South Croydon to earn a hard-fought 43-point win for Craig Anderson and his family.
Anderson excelled on Shave a Bull Day – a celebration organised by the club for his son Zayne and his battle with leukaemia – kicking two goals and leaving the Bulldogs’ midfielders chasing him all match.
The match was left at a deadlock through the first half as Noble Park and South Croydon traded blows to leave the Bulls only one-goal ahead.
Noble Park smashed South Croydon through the third term – thumping on five-goals-nine as the match started to slip from the Bulldogs’ grasp.
As darkness enveloped Pat Wright Sr Reserve, with the lights turned on for the final term, Noble Park kept the visitors at bay to seize a deserved 13.16 (94) to 7.9 (51) triumph.
Sharing the goals around – Anderson and Shayne Allan bagged a pair each while nine other goal kickers got among the scoresheet as celebrations started early.
Zayne Anderson was a welcome addition to the Bulls’ huddle after the match as they belted out the song for the fifth time this year and crucially to keep their final’s chances intact.
Noble Park coach Jon Knight praised his captain and said his captain’s character is why he is beloved at the club and everyone is willing to pitch in to help Zayne.
“His commitment to this footy club and his mates is outstanding and every time I see him at training he gives 100 per cent… he’s such an honest bloke,” Knight said.
“That’s why he’s got such a big following of people here at this footy club.”
Brett Dore, Clay McCartney and Glen Manson all won their positions through the central part of the ground but the big winner out of the day was the re-emergence of Piva Wright as a defender.
Wright had the unenviable task of shutting down league-leading goal kicker Jason Eagle, but savoured his task as he kept the full forward to only two goals – his equal lowest return this season.
“Looking at the size of their forwards, I thought it would be interesting to have him line up on someone who was bigger than him and as quick,” Knight said.
“Perfect position for Piva as he can get a rest and we’ve been hurting him with the aerobic capacity stuff in the ruck.
“I was really confident he’d be able to do ok on him (Eagle), but he was able to lift even further and was sensational.”
The win brings Noble Park back to within a match-and-a-half of the top five with the big challenge waiting this weekend as it vies with unbeaten Norwood at Moodemere St.
For more on Shave a Bull Day go to page 14.
