By JARROD POTTER
UNITING for a noble cause, the Eastern Football League’s top showdown holds extra meaning because of the ceremony beforehand for Noble Park and Balwyn.
Putting aside differences, Bulls and Tigers players, coaches and supporters alike will be encouraged to take the White Ribbon pledge on Saturday, an earnest promise to “never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women”.
The White Ribbon match has become a proud tradition between the sides in recent seasons and with the spectacle on-field between two of local football’s best outfits, the encounter on Saturday holds plenty of meaning.
After the ceremony, the battle for top spot in EFL’s Division 1 competition will be electrifying … which is exactly what coach Mick Fogarty and his Noble Park side crave.
“Absolutely – we embrace that (battling for top spot) and love the big stage,” Fogarty said. “We want to put in a really strong performance and look forward to it and to give a few guys an opportunity again.”
The Bulls and Tigers have established a heated rivalry in recent years.
One of the few shining moments of the 2014 EFL campaign was knocking off Balwyn at home and there’s plenty of gusto to go around as the sides face off in a likely finals preview.
Saturday will be the first time since the 2013 EFL grand final that Fogarty locks horns with Balwyn – as the grand final was meant to be his finale before returning to the Bullring late last year.
Fogarty’s men will be down on a few of their top-line forwards though with Shayne Allan and Ziggie Alwan expected to be announced in Vic Metro’s finalised squad to take on AFL Queensland.
Also absent will be fleet-footed tandem Jackson Sketcher and Chris Horton-Milne, who are out of the country on holiday.
“Allan and Alwan are expected to play in the Vic Metro game in Brisbane and we’ll have those two out,” Fogarty said.
“Sketcher goes away and Milne won’t be available, so four definite changes, but it gives our guys a good chance to step up and their opportunity.
“But we’d like to think we have some considerable depth at the club this year.”
The depth will be tested on Saturday, but Noble Park has a few handy additions to bring in at a moment’s notice.
Fogarty praised the efforts of former Richmond rookie list player Piva Wright – who has toiled in the seconds in recent rounds, but gets his chance to return to senior football this weekend.
He also believes Brett Dore (foot) and Luke Mann are in line to feature prominently in the Bulls’ forward arc in the White Ribbon clash while Dan Keely is also in line to return.
The Queen’s Birthday blockbuster will begin at 2pm on Saturday at Pat Wright Sr Oval.
More information on the day is available on the White Ribbon website http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/events/noble-park-v-balwyn-white-ribbon-day
