Bulls charge toward cup

By Glen Atwell
THE Noble Park Bulls have one hoof on the Eastern Football League premiership cup after disposing of main rival Vermont by 25 points at Pat Wright Oval on Saturday.
A huge crowd crammed in to see the top-of-table clash between the two undefeated sides. Most were expecting a hard-running, skilful contest, but the Bulls and Eagles delivered a good old-fashioned slugfest.
Noble Park dominated the first quarter and should have led by more than 17 points at the first break. The Bulls booted 4.8, the Eagles 2.3, but the momentum soon swung.
Vermont changed its game plan and started to kick long, moving the ball into attack with ease but, just as the Bulls did in the first quarter, the Eagles wasted the majority of their scoring opportunities. By half-time Noble Park (7.8) was hanging on to a one-goal lead.
The intensity of the game lifted in the third quarter. It was the Bulls who best harnessed the high energy, through Aaron Cole and Daniel Velardo kicking away to the biggest lead of the match. Sensing the game and top spot were slipping away, the Eagles rallied and finished the quarter strongly, pegging the margin back to only two goals at three-quarter time.
Noble Park coach Shane Burgmann told his players to give it their all. “We’ve got a week off after this, so give it your all, don’t leave the field with anything left,” he said.
A goal shootout followed and at times the Eagles only trailed by six points, but the Bulls always seemed in control and never flustered.
Two goals in one minute sealed the crucial win for Noble Park.
Burgmann’s move to play speedy flanker Lloyd Williams at full back against Eagles full-forward Matt Greig seemed to be the matchwinner. Williams’ ability to run the ball out of defence saw the Eagles concede two important goals after half-time.
Cole, Velardo, Williams and Peter O’Brien each booted three goals for the Bulls.
The win thrusts the Bulls to top spot on the first-division ladder and sent a clear message to the opposition clubs below: catch us if you can.