Wounded Bulls: Will they charge?

By JARROD POTTER
THEY say wounded Bulls tend to charge – and time will tell if the mounting injury list at Noble Park inspires a big attack up the EFL ladder.
The wounds left Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty wondering if the footy gods had deserted the side they once loved – the Noble Park 2010-11 back-to-back premiership sides which barely suffered any setbacks by comparison.
“The footy gods have looked after us for the last two years, but I’ve never been at a club that has been affected more,” Fogarty said. “Going away for work, holidays and injuries – it’s a year you couldn’t comprehend.”
Another four Bulls copped their knocks in Noble Park’s three-point loss to Vermont on Saturday – Ben Logan injured his knee, ruling him out for the rest of the season and add to that Craig Jacotine (groin), Nick Williams (hamstring) and Bobby Kemperman (quad strain/corked thigh) on the pine, and it left the Bulls without any rotations.
The 18 remaining players fought tough, but ran out of energy as the Vermont dug in for three crucial goals to take the victory.
“I don’t think the game was won or lost there (in the last quarter),” Fogarty said.
“We had momentum in the third quarter and were 28 points up and then they got two goals at the end of the third and gave them momentum into the final term.”
“We had no rotations – four injuries on the bench and we ran out of puff.
“Having said that, the group was fantastic on Saturday, and I couldn’t ask for any more from them.”
Fogarty praised Luke Cody, whose five-goal haul kept the match alive as well as Andrew McConnell, Ziggy Alwan, Stewy Cleeve in the ruck and Stewart Kemperman when he was switched to the back line.
Those anointed footy gods have given back Noble Park a couple of options for this week’s clash against East Ringwood – with George Angelopoulos (suspension) and Luke McLean returning to add some much-needed experience to the team.
“They (East Ringwood) beat us last time,” Fogarty said.
“Every game is a tough game for us – it will be a battle, but we’re pretty confident we can bounce back.”
Noble Park sits in fourth on the EFL Division 1 ladder.