By DAVID NAGEL
DESPITE a relatively even first half, the Noble Park Bulls were able to stamp their authority over Blackburn, crushing it by 71 points.
In a consolidation of its third place on the ladder, Noble Park manufactured a 13-goal second half to put the match beyond a doubt.
Coach Mick Fogarty said he challenged his charges to shake off their early malaise and put the foot down against Blackburn.
“In the first half Endeavour Hills really took it up to us, then after half time we came out strong,” he said.
“Early in the game we didn’t have enough pressure around the footy and our blokes were only prepared to run one way.
“In the second half the guys were able to put a lot of pressure on the Blackburn ball carriers.”
In what was a very even goal scorer list for Noble Park, Shayne Allan booted three while a host of his team-mates spotted up for a couple of goals each.
Noble Park ruckman Vergim Faik ripped the game to shreds and gave his team an advantage all day.
Timothy Harper and Timothy Kelly were highly influential in the Bulls win, complementing an extremely even team performance.
Noble Park will play Rowville next week and Mick Fogarty said his side is looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s just about consolidating out top three position,” he said.
“If we stay where we are by round 18, I’d be very happy with that double chance.”
CASEY CARDINIA
KEYSBOROUGH can hold its head high despite going down to Casey Cardinia league power-house Narre Warren by 87 points at Fox Road on Saturday.
The Burra weren’t intimidated in the first half, outscoring the Magpies 3.2 to 1.4 in the second quarter to trail by just 14 points at half time.
Dean Gentle was doing his best to restrict Magpie goal-kicking machine Kerem Baskaya while Glen Hawthorn and Geoff Humphreys took things right up to the ladder-leader.
The Burra found the pace a bit too hot to handle in the second half, the home side piling on 17 goals to five after the break for a comprehensive victory.
Davor Rajic kicked four for the Burra and Humphreys and Chris Bryan two each, while Corey Wilkinson, Waata Wells and Michael Downie were others who went down fighting.
The Burra now have a week off due to a split-round before travelling to Cranbourne on 13 July.
SFL – DIVISION 3
DANDENONG had its double-chance hopes dealt a savage blow on the weekend, the Redlegs losing a thriller to Black Rock by two-points at McDonald Reserve.
The Redlegs were totally outpointed in the first three quarters as the home side kicked out to a 47-point lead at the final break.
A rousing 7.7 to 0.4 last term falling just short when the final siren sounded.
Dave Barrie, four goals, and Daniel Atkin three, were the Redlegs’ best up forward while James Farrugia, Trent Alexander and Matthew Doggett found a second-wind in the last term.
Lyndale also lost a game it would have expected to win, going down to Sandown by 16-points at Barry Powell Reserve.
Lyndale fought back from a two-goal deficit at half-time to square things away by the final break, but the Cobras kicked 3.10 to 2.0 to thoroughly deserve victory.
Trevor Kumetaitis kicked three for Lyndale while Adam Read was outstanding all day.
Endeavour Hills remain winless after copping a 131-point thrashing from Doveton Eagles.
Shane Peake’s three goals and the form of Adrian Kartner and Rob Cooper were the only real highlights in a disappointing display.
