By JARROD POTTER
THAT’S Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty’s belief, as he thinks his side can find another gear on top of an already scintillating 22-goal performance against Rowville.
Everyone anticipated a tightly fought contest after Noble Park could only muster a 10-point advantage in a rough-and-tumble first term.
But the cogs started turning for the Bulls through the second – opening the floodgates to boot seven goals on the back of forward pressure from Ziggie Alwan and the returning Brett Dore.
Another seven-goal term in the third iced the match as the likes of Shayne Allan (three goals) and Alwan (two goals) started to get dangerous in the forward-50.
The midfield seared off any Hawks’ tag and pushed through to set up 31 scoring shots.
The last quarter – despite kicking six goals – was not as emphatic from Noble Park, as fatigue caused careless passing and lacklustre disposals became commonplace.
“I don’t think we were at our best today (Saturday) – I really don’t,” Fogarty said.
“I think we fumbled a bit and you can credit that to Rowville’s pressure around the footy.
“The scoreboard probably flatters us a bit today – they had a lot of shots on goal and missed a lot of easy ones.”
Booting a magnificent seven, Kyle Martin showed he is a greater-than-expected force to be reckoned with in Eastern this season.
He had the ball on a string no matter where he went, forward or midfield, as the former Collingwood AFL footballer made it perfectly clear that he’s not here to take a step back from his elite standard on the footy oval.
While not as clearly hitting up the scoreboard, Jackson Sketcher and Jarryd Plymin impressed across half-back and set up a lot of the Bulls’ forward forays.
“Plymmo has been great – had two really great games – lost a bit of weight, he’s a lot leaner and gets out of stoppages and is using the ball well now,” Fogarty said.
“Sketch was a little bit quiet last week, but today he showed his ability and class and how good of a player he can be.”
With the boys from the Local Footy Show filming the impressive Noble Park rampage for this week’s match, be sure to flick across to Ch.31 on Friday from 7pm or Saturday morning at 9am for the replay.
In the match-of-the-season so far, EFL ladder-leading Noble Park heads to Norwood to face the reigning premiers on ANZAC Day – a challenge Fogarty and his charges crave.
“We look forward to it,” Fogarty said.
“We love playing against the top sides and love playing against anyone, but Norwood on ANZAC Day will be special, especially as they haven’t won a game yet so they’ll be up and about.”
In other Bulls news, Ziggy Alwan and Shayne Allan have been selected in the extended Vic Metro Senior Squad ahead of its representative clash with AFL Queensland on 7 June.
