By Jarrod Potter
EFL DIVISION 1 – ROUND 7
ANOTHER bruising Noble Park win has left the Eastern Football League in no doubt – the Bulls are here to play.
This week’s victim was Blackburn – who has been battered by injury and unavailability to fall down the ladder to 10th.
There was no Noble mercy for the Panthers however, as the Bulls stampeded all over the visitors in a 51-point goring.
Wayward kicking as opposed to Blackburn proved the biggest threat to Noble Park’s prospects on Saturday though, as the Bulls booted 18 behinds in a 114-point haul.
“Certainly is – it’s plagued us all year our ability to finish off,” Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty said. “We’re getting the opportunities to score – getting it in pretty well – but got to capitalise going forward and getting the scoreboard and getting the right result.”
CLICK HERE for a gallery from Noble Park’s win over Blackburn.
Shayne Allan (six goals) and Ziggie Alwan (two goals) flew at everything that went near them, while the midfield brigade also cashed in through Craig Anderson and Tim Harper two goals each).
Harper in particular has been elite since his return to the Bullring – after two seasons with the VFL side Frankston. While all eyes have focused on the returning Kyle Martin and Alwan for obvious reasons, Harper has been no less important in the Bulls’ 6-1 start to the season.
“He certainly is playing well,” Fogarty said. “He’s a quality player, balanced player, beautiful kick and inside work is his strength.Not to mention outside and finishes well, he’s is a terrific kid and a terrific player.”
Also shining in the superb outing were Sam Monaghan, Trent Robertson and Stewart Kemperman.
With 29 kicks, nine handballs and 10 marks as the loose player in the Bulls’ defence, Kemperman in particular was dominant as he set up the play from his textbook sweeping kicks out of the backline.
Earning a Powerade shower from his team mates after the win, debut Bull Dylan Collis also earned a nod in the best as he confidently roamed the forward line and wing.
With outs for Luke Cody, Kevin Kean and Dan Keely – a late omission on Friday – Collis, a former Garfield player, stood tall and earned the coach’s praise for his dogged tackling in the forward arc.
“That’s exactly what we wanted for him (Collis) – his tackling was terrific and he stepped up well as we lost Luke Cody and Kevin Kean to injury and Aaron Erbulut was playing in the seconds,” Fogarty said. “Collis has been playing really solid footy in the seconds and deserved his opportunity when Dan Keely pulled out yesterday morning and he was terrific as well.”
Noble Park has a bye this weekend before its traditional Queen’s Birthday blockbuster against Balwyn. The second place Bulls will host the ladder-leading Tigers on 6 June from 2.10pm.
