Bulls charge into finals

By Paul Pickering
MICK Fogarty has delivered Noble Park back to the Division One finals, but he now knows it’s not enough.
The first-year Bulls coach and former premiership player could barely contain his excitement this week as he prepared for Saturday’s qualifying final against Balwyn.
“It’s a proud club, which expects and demands finals, and we’ve got that opportunity now,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to it.”
Noble capped a stunning regular season by crushing last-placed Lilydale by 120 points on Saturday. In doing so, the Bulls claimed third spot and consigned the home-town Falcons to relegation.
It had shaped as an awkward final-round encounter, but finished up a bloodbath.
Noble’s score of 30.20(200) was the equal-highest of the Division One season, matching its round 14 tally against East Ringwood.
League-leading goal-kicker Tory Dickson booted a season-high 12 goals to finish the year on 96, while mercurial half-forward Shayne Allan kicked nine of his own.
Yet Fogarty was keen to manage the hype surrounding his in-form forward duo.
“They’re both quality players, but they know they’ve gotta be able to produce it against the Balwyns, Scoresbys, Croydons and Norwoods,” he said.
“They got some really good delivery.”
There’s no doubt that Noble Park has the firepower to advance deep into the finals series.
The double chance in hand, the Bulls have a virtual free-hit at Balwyn this Saturday.
The Bulls and Tigers have split their two meetings this season, but Fogarty believes the pressure will be on a star-studded Balwyn outfit, which includes ex-AFL players Nick Smith, Patrick Bowden, Alan Murray, Joel Smith, Ben Holland and Ian Prendergast.
“They’ve got a lot of guys with reputations, who’ve played at the higher level,” he said.
“I think Balwyn will go in expecting to win, and maybe win comfortably, but we think we’ve got the personnel and game plan to beat them.
“We won’t be intimidated.”
Noble will be sweating on the availability of emerging big man Lachie Delahunty, who has missed the last two games due to VFL commitments with Bendigo and could be selected to play for the Bombers in an elimination final this Sunday.
If successful on Saturday, the Bulls will play minor premier Scoresby for a spot in the grand final. A loss would see Noble face either Croydon or Norwood next week.
The Blues and Norsemen will play their game at East Burwood Reserve on Saturday.