Young Bulls run wild

By Paul Pickering
NOBLE Park is one win away from the Division One grand final after embarrassing Balwyn in Saturday’s qualifying final at Bayswater Oval.
The Bulls made a talent-laden Balwyn look old and slow on their way to a 58-point win, which left many onlookers questioning Scoresby’s status as the flag fancy.
The minor-premier Magpies have earnt that title and will defend it with vigour when the sides meet in Saturday’s semi-final, but the young Bulls were irresistible on the weekend.
They simply ran the Tigers off their legs, leading from start to finish in perhaps their most impressive outing of the season.
Experienced campaigners Craig Anderson and Peter O’Brien played vital roles, but there was no mistaking this as a victory for Noble’s youth policy.
The Bulls fielded 17 players under the age of 24 on Saturday. Balwyn picked six.
Young guns Sam Monaghan, Kyle Martin, Nick Williams, Glen Manson, Jarrod Plymin and Andrew McConnell relished the big stage, while Tory Dickson owned it – for a moment at least.
The league-leading goal-kicker booted five for the afternoon; his fourth – from a brilliant gather and snap midway through the third term – confirming him as just the second Noble player to kick 100 in a season.
Dickson is not one for fanfare and didn’t dwell on the personal milestone, but it was a significant moment.
The goal put Noble 52 points up and, given the joy with which his team-mates celebrated, it was clear the Bulls would not be letting each other down.
Coach Mick Fogarty, who deserves some credit for the club’s stunning return to finals footy, was full of praise for his young group.
“We knew that if we could use our ball movement and run and carry on this big ground, we’d have a real chance,” he said. “They’re a physically strong side and we had to stand up to that pressure they apply.”
That physical pressure was always going to test the undersized Noble defence, but Plymin, Williams and Lachie Tindal stood tall against Tigers Nick Smith, Alan Murray and Patrick Bowden.
Monaghan blanketed the dangerous Peter Summers in the middle, while McConnell’s hard work was rewarded with three goals from a wing.
The loser of Saturday’s game at Bayswater will face either Balwyn or Norwood in the preliminary final.