Above: Noble Park’s Craig Anderson pursues Vermont skipper Ryan Mullett during the Bulls’ upset win at home.By Paul Pickering
THE Eastern Football League’s most compelling rivalry took another turn on Saturday, with Noble Park upsetting the all-conquering Vermont Eagles by seven points.
In their first meeting since last year’s dramatic grand final, the Division One heavyweights traded blows in the driving rain at the Bullring.
Ultimately, it was the home side that displayed a greater hunger for the contest, leading at every break to inflict Vermont’s first loss of the season.
The Eagles began as they have all year, winning the football in close and providing great supply to a forward line led by enigmatic spearhead Matthew Greig.
After booting a club-record 15 goals the previous week, Greig slotted his first of the afternoon within 30 seconds of the opening siren.
He had little joy for the remainder of the match, though, registering just one more under the watch of versatile Bulls stopper Lloyd Williams.
Williams was relentless in a best-on-ground performance, claiming front spot in every contest and running off Greig at every opportunity.
Centre half-back Adrian Little was able to nullify the influence of Vermont’s Kire Talevski, while Peter O’Brien, Stewart Kemperman and Craig Anderson ran tirelessly through the middle of the ground.
Up forward, the freakish talents of Dave Velardo (two goals) and gun recruit Dean Kelly (three goals) provided the highlights in an otherwise dour struggle.
Kelly, who was lively – if a little rusty – in his first game, kicked both of Noble Park’s third-quarter goals to give the Bulls a 10-point buffer at the final break.
As expected, the Eagles rallied under the guidance of proven ball winner Kris Bardon in the final quarter.
But after failing to capitalise on a handful of scoring opportunities, the Eagles were exposed by Noble Park’s cleanest forward foray of the afternoon.
Bulls playing coach Kris Barlow (two goals) delivered a pinpoint pass to Kelly at half-forward before running on to receive the next kick 30m out from goal.
With his second goal of the afternoon, Barlow drove the final dagger into the heart of his former club.
And while he was delighted with his team’s endeavour, Barlow was under no illusions about what the result meant for the club.
“I still don’t think we played great footy, but I thought the boys were great in their intensity,” he said.
“We won, and I think we’ve got another gear to go to, but it’s still a long year and premierships aren’t won in May.”
Only percentage now separates Vermont and Noble Park on top of the ladder.
The Bulls will be bolstered by the return of ruck/forward Matt Skehan when they travel to Lilydale to face the out-of-sorts Falcons on Sunday.
