Above and right: Noble Park Bull Lloyd Williams goes under and over after catching the leg of an opponent during the Bulls’ disappointing loss to the Donvale Magpies. Glen Atwell
THE Noble Park Bulls have bombed out of the Eastern Football League (EFL) finals in straight sets after a dark day at Bayswater Oval.
A 59-point thrashing at the hands of the Donvale Magpies ended the Bulls’ lowly finals campaign and will have the boys from Moodemere Street questioning their match tactics.
After being soundly beaten by Vermont last week, the Magpies provided the tired-looking Bulls with a knockout blow, a combination of youth and determination.
The Bulls, relying on experience and adherence to strict game plans to see them into the grand final, failed to adapt to the free-flowing, spontaneous style of play exhibited by the next generation of EFL footballers.
Cameron Cramp was at his destructive best for the Magpies, electric across the midfield and chipping in with two goals.
After a lacklustre opening quarter, the Bulls charged back into the match with a three-goal-to-one second term and narrowed the deficit to just one point at the main break.
Something special must have been said in the Magpies rooms at half-time, because in a true premiership quarter, the Donvale side tore apart the Bulls team that looked like running away with the match in the third quarter.
It was a 10-goal quarter for the Magpies, while the hapless Bulls could manage only one.
Bulls’ forward Mark Williams was well held by his Magpie opponent, kicking only two goals for the day.
For the Bulls, the game and season was all but over.
Bulls’ playing coach Shane Burgmann said it was a tough day at the office.
“In that third quarter they made first use of the ball and that’s so important in a close final,” he said.
Burgmann had a high opinion of Donvale, and warned the Vermont Eagles not to take the foot off the pedal in the grand final this Saturday.
“Donvale make great use of the ball, they run hard and always find space.
“Vermont will be favourites, but they wouldn’t want to take the Magpies lightly,” Burgmann said.
The grand final between Vermont and Donvale will be played at Bayswater Oval this Saturday at 2.30pm.
– Glen Atwell-
