Bulls shoot Magpies from sky

By Paul Pickering
AFTER claiming the Eastern Football League’s most prized scalp at Vermont, Noble Park completed a triumphant return to the Bullring on Saturday night with an 83-point win over Donvale.
Capitalising on the momentum of the previous week’s barnstorming finish, the Bulls played 30 minutes of irresistible footy in the opening term to build an insurmountable 57-point lead.
Having suffered the indignity of a scoreless first quarter, the Magpies managed to salvage some respectability by restraining the raging Bulls during the next three quarters.
Noble Park’s three-pronged forward structure of Daniel Kennedy (five goals), Aaron Cole (four) and Dave Velardo (four) proved too much for Donvale’s undermanned defence to handle, while Heath Black and Stewart Kemperman surged forward to add two goals each.
More promising for the Bulls was the return to form of defender Ziggie Alwan, who has been relatively quiet since a mid-season purple patch that saw him secure votes in six consecutive games during May and June.
As usual, midfielders Craig Anderson and Kris Barlow ensured that Noble Park had first use of the ball.
For the Magpies, Nick Grigg looked the only likely target up forward with five goals, while the efforts of Chris Jones and Colin Sanbrook helped stem the tide during the second half.
Providing that second-placed East Ringwood can account for the struggling Magpies this week, Noble Park’s battle with Balwyn will decide which team finishes in third spot.
The match will be the final opportunity to see Noble Park in action at the Bullring this season, so fans are expected to roll up in their droves.