Bulls steam home for last-up win

By Marc McGowan
NOBLE Park has ended the home and away season with a solid 19-point win over Donvale in Eastern Football League Division One action at Donvale Reserve on Saturday.
In a topsy-turvy encounter, the Bulls steamed home in the decisive quarter with seven goals to two after only having nine goals to three-quarter time.
“It was a very tight game,” Noble Park playing coach Shane Burgmann said.
“The guys played really well – particularly in the last quarter.”
The Bulls started the match strongly, kicking four goals to three to earn an eight-point buffer at quarter-time.
The Magpies grabbed the ascendancy in the second term, booting three goals to two to slice the half-time margin to four points.
Donvale continued its form into the third period and took the lead off its more fancied rival, slamming through five majors to snatch a 10-point break heading into the final quarter before Noble Park restored order in the last term.
It was the Bulls’ 17th win of the season, with their only defeat coming at the hands of first-up finals opponent Vermont.
“We wanted to finish off with a good hit-out,” Burgmann said. “It’s been a long season.”
And what of the Vermont clash at Bayswater Reserve in two weeks’ time?
“I’m expecting we’ll win,” Burgmann said.
“We’ve got one win apiece (against each other) during the season. We will have to be at our best to beat them.
“Our intensity has to lift. They were first to the footy last time so we have to change that.”
Burgmann believes star on-ballers Nathan Tiberi and Gavin Vassallo are the keys to the side’s chances.