By JARROD POTTER
ONLY eight points separated Noble Park and Balwyn at the end of another epic battle between the two Eastern Football League heavyweights.
The two teams donned blue jerseys in the Beyond Blue Cup, to raise awareness about depression and anxiety, but despite the change of clothing it was business as usual between the powerhouse clubs.
Squeaking through in their usual nail-biter manner, only nine points separated the Bulls and Tigers at the final change.
The Bulls charged ahead via goals to Beau Cosson (three) and Brad Scalzo to gain the upper hand with 10 minutes elapsed.
Despite going a man down with Brad Neil (knee) leaving the match in the third term, the Tigers didn’t go away – sending the ball down Luke Barker.
Barker’s six goals proved the tipping point in a close encounter between, at least on this form, the likely grand finalists to boot.
Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty said the arm wrestle between these teams was up for grabs until the dying moments of the match.
“The last couple of years we’ve had tight contests with them and they got the points,” Fogarty said.
“Had a momentum swing the last quarter there and took it.
“They got them late – we were five points up 10 min mark – they got the momentum and got a hold of us for a couple of minutes.”
Fogarty had praise all round for his charges, but especially from the roaming defender Tim Kelly, goal-sneak/midfielder George Angelopoulos and the unearthed ruck gem Vergim Faik.
Bulls’ mainstays Tyson Mitchem and Stewart Kemperman had quiet days on return from injury, but will be better served for the match-time and the bye to come this weekend.
“Terrific game but, unfortunate, we didn’t win,” Fogarty said.
“Really good – really pleased with their performance against the reigning premier – pressure from both sides was enormous and you could see why both sides have been successful.
“Tim Kelly across half back was outstanding – George Angelopoulos was lively early in the game and gave us a lot of the spark up forward and Vergim Faik again played a lone hand and his last three games since coming into the seniors have been terrific.”
The bye greets the Bulls this weekend, currently third with a 6-3 record, which is where Fogarty wants to stay heading into the run home.
“We’re travelling really well,” Fogarty said. “6-3, would’ve been nice to be 7-2, but really well placed for a good assault on the finals.
“We want to finish top three it’s as simple as that – if we win our fair share of games we’ll achieve that.”
The next challenge is a trip to East Burwood on 22 June.
EFL – DIVISION 1
Noble Park 3.2 5.2 7.4 10.7 (67)
Balwyn 3.3 6.4 8.7 11.9 (75)
NOBLE PARK Best: G. Angelopoulos, T. Kelly, V. Faik, A. McConnell, L. Smith, B. Dore. Goals: B. Cosson 3, G. Angelopoulos 2, B. Dore, M. Dunne, L. Smith, T. Kelly, B. Scalzo.BALWYN Best: R. McMahon, J. Goldsack, L. Barker, J. Milhuisen, J. Chirgwin, A. Murray. Goals: L. Barker 6, R. McMahon 2, B. Broadhurst 2, S. Kenna.
