Noble Park forward Shayne Allen tries a different perspective after a kick at goal sails just wide. 85594 Picture: JARROD POTTER
By JARROD POTTER
PLAYING for pride and points to prove before their guaranteed finals appearance this season, Noble Park couldn’t muster enough initiative against Blackburn, downed by five points.
The Bulls managed to stay in the fight despite still grappling with a large injury list and getting another hit with in-form midfielder Tyson Mitchem sustaining a deep cut above his eye in the second quarter, prematurely forcing him out of the match.
The problems didn’t push Noble Park out of contention though – if not for a desperation last kick of the match from Blackburn, the result would have fallen the Bulls’ way.
“All day I think we would’ve been lucky to win,” Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty said. “We were flat all day, but the positive is hopefully we’ve had it now and not three weeks from now in the first final.”
“We got some good game time into our 18-year-old kids and they’re playing really good footy which will hold the club in good stead over the next three years.”
Fogarty reserved highest praise for Cohen Howell applying a hard tag on Brad Murray, Bobby Kemperman in his usual dour defensive mindset and Harris Elkasovic, a 19-year-old ruckman on debut, who manfully battled in the void left by unavailable pair Stuart Cleeve and Glen Manson.
“Getting a game into Harris, 19-year-old ruckman from Devon Meadows, was great,” Fogarty said. “We wanted him to compete and he did well.
“Our backline was terrific and Cohen Howell did a great tag on Murray while Bobby Kemperman down back was strong and competed well.”
George Angelopoulos continued his excellent season, chipping in with three goals from the midfield.
Noble Park faces East Burwood this week with the Rams looking to put a damper on the Bulls’ run into finals.
