By JARROD POTTER
SLIPPING, slopping and slapping their way to victory in horrendous weather, Noble Park knocked aside South Croydon in a 45-point comfortable victory.
Keeping their opposition to two goals either side of half-time, the Bulls charged ahead through Shayne Allen (three goals) and Beau Cosson (two), while the midfield unit flourished as Vergim Faik continued his bid for top ruck duties, giving first option to Sam Monaghan and Andrew McConnell.
Ahead 53-18 at the main break, Noble Park kept slogging away to take the points in the sloppy conditions.
Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty praised his charges for adapting to the conditions – discarding any notions of “playing pretty footy” to just thumping the ball forward in time-honoured wet-weather tactics.
“It was a hard-fought win in really, really wet conditions,” Fogarty said. “I’m proud of the way they followed a basic game plan – getting it forward and getting numbers around the contest, which gave us every opportunity to win the footy.”
The coach gave his seal of approval to Cosson – in what Fogarty believed was his best game for the club in his role across the wing heading forward – while Tim Kelly, Faik, Monaghan and George Angelopoulos (two goals) earned the same praise.
“He’s (Faik) playing some really consistent footy at the moment,” Fogarty said. “Tim Kelly was fantastic across half-back and set up a lot of play for us like the week before and Monaghan was outstanding around the footy and won the clearances really well.
“Beau had his best game for the footy club and George was his usual dangerous self up forward and created a lot of energy for us.”
It doesn’t get bigger than Eastern Football League on the Queen’s Birthday weekend – except this year as it’s not only the traditional derby, but it is also first versus second. The early bragging rights are on the line as Noble Park faces Balwyn in the match of the year so far.
