By JARROD POTTER
IT MIGHT be a pre-season match, but the biggest match of the season so far takes place at Kalora Park on Saturday, when Noble Park squares off against cross-league rival Narre Warren.
Narre Warren jagged a two-point win on Noble Park soil last year, but it’s safe to say Noble Park isn’t letting them take two on the trot so easily.
Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty said the pre-season to date had been impressive, defeating St Bedes and Frankston YCW comfortably.
“Had some pretty good results scoreboard-wise and the new guys are going well with our strategy,” Fogarty said.
“If we can have an injury free year we can have a great year with the group we’ve got.”
New recruits Brett Dore (Nar Nar Goon), Tim Harper (Werribee) and Dean Cleven (Casey Scorpions) all impressed the coach, with Cleven locked in a ruck battle with former Berwick big Vergim Faik for the number one spot in the Bullring.
On top of the new recruits, familiar faces like George Angelopoulos and the captain Craig Anderson continue to blitz the field.
The return of former Box Hill VFL – and more importantly this weekend, former Narre Warren – midfielder Brad Scalzo has been steady, coming back from a season-ending broken leg in 2012.
“Brad Scalzo played his first game Saturday in the twos – played a half – he’s still a fair while off yet, but he’s the only one at the moment on the mend.
“See how he pulls up this week – won’t be in the seniors – he’s coming from a fair way back and needs to get a few games under his belt and get some match fitness and general fitness about him.”
On the result side of things, Fogarty isn’t too worried about the final score, but knows the match is always the best final pre-season contest leading into a long season.
“The result I’m not too particular fazed with the scoreboard – always have a good hit out with Narre and try some boys out,” Fogarty said.
“Last game before our first game and should be a good tune up before the season starts.”
Noble Park’s first EFL Division 1 round is at home against East Burwood on 13 April.
