By JARROD POTTER
PLAY-TIME is over for Noble Park with the home-and-away season coming to a close following a 41-point triumph over Lilydale.
Noble Park threatened to leave a smouldering crater where Lilydale’s defence once stood as the Bulls smashed through 10 goals-to-one in a devastating first quarter.
The run-and-carry from their perennial defensive ball-winners Stewart Kemperman, Jarryd Plymin and Tim Kelly proved damaging all afternoon as the Falcons failed to stop the Bulls’ counterattacking.
The Falcons must’ve received a spray to end all sprays from coach Simon Rourke as the next three quarters evened up and stopped a scoreboard massacre unfolding.
The Bulls were challenged in the second half – kicking five goals to the home side’s nine, but had the early goals on the board to maintain the comfortable win.
Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty said Lilydale’s fight-to-the-finish was much needed for his charges – wanting them to take the form from a hard contest into next week’s first final.
“After quarter time, full credit to Lilydale, they pressured us around the footy and were really good after that,” Fogarty said.
“I’m glad it wasn’t (a blowout) as we were able to get a good run and test ourselves heading into next week.”
Tim Harper continued his stellar pre-finals form, notching his third best on field nod in five games as he tore apart the Falcons midfield.
Brett Dore also received the coach’s highest praise – not just for his five-goal haul but also with the dominant forward getting the ball to ground level for the crumbing forwards.
“Been terrific all year – not just his ability to kick goals, but his strength to bring the footy to ground and give our small forwards a chance to win it,” Fogarty said.
With captain Craig Anderson set to return from the injury list, the only major out for the Bulls remains Tyson Mitchem – giving Noble Park a fighting fit line-up against second-placed Vermont this weekend in a qualifying final.
“Fantastic mate – can’t wait,” Fogarty said.
“Bayswater where we haven’t lost a final since we were there in 2010 and 11 and looking forward to it.
“It’s a matter for us whether we go in with too many match ups or play our own footy and we’ll assess it this week and see how it turns out.”
The first bounce at Bayswater Oval on Saturday is at 2.10pm.
