By JARROD POTTER
“I’M NOBLE Park through and through and always will be.”
Mick Fogarty bowed out of senior coaching on Saturday with Noble Park’s 40-point defeat at the hands of Balwyn in the Eastern Football League Division 1 grand final.
Patting his players on the back and farewelling the group with a classic Fogarty stirring speech, the two-time Bulls premiership coach made sure the group knew of the pride he had leading the team, and the honour they all should feel knowing they’ve pulled on a Noble Park jumper.
“Just remember people come and go from this football club… when we’re here we represent the club and make sure that as we go away from tonight we’re still representing the footy club,” Fogarty said.
“Tomorrow you’re still representing the footy club… and what a club it is.”
Fogarty’s links to the club were forged in 1986 – running out for the Bulls as a triple-premiership player before heading to ROC to start his coaching career – with the Kangaroos forever gaining Fogarty’s deepest gratitude.
“The premierships at ROC… they were outstanding to give me an opportunity as a playing coach after I left Springvale, for that opportunity they gave me, and to win back to back premierships,” Fogarty said. “They’re a fantastic club and I’ll remember those days at ROC fondly, they were fantastic days and allowed me to coach for nearly 20 more years.”
Returning to his football roots four years ago, it was wish fulfilment to become Noble Park’s coach and lead the side to its immense run of success.
“I played senior footy here – first when I got the flick from St Kilda when I came here in 1986,” Fogarty said.
“Grew up in Noble Park and played my junior footy at Parkmore – a rival of Noble and Springvale – then after I wasn’t good enough to play league footy I was able to start my senior career at Noble Park and play in three premierships.
“It was my ambition to come back one day, when I went into coaching, to get the gig at Noble Park and just getting the job at Noble was a dream-come-true.
“Then the ride I’ve had for the last four years has been unbelievable – wouldn’t change it for the world.”
His advice to the incoming Noble Park coach is to do as he did – to give it everything you have – and the results will come from there.
“Whoever gets the job should feel blessed as this club will give a coach everything they can possibly give.
“It’s up to the coach – whoever gets it – to do the rest.”
His last words as Noble Park coach belong to his wife Michelle – who will enjoy the benefits of getting her husband back on Saturday… at least for the immediate future.
“My wife Michelle – I love her very much and she’s been an unbelievable influence on my life and I’ll never forget that,” Fogarty said.
