By JARROD POTTER
BALWYN had answers to every Noble Park question – downing the Bulls 17.14 (116) to 11.10 (76) to claim back-to-back EFL Division 1 premierships.
The Tigers jumped the Bulls in the first term – kicking five unanswered goals – leaving the Bulls goalless until the four-minute mark of the second term through Andrew McConnell.
The Balwyn pressure hit fever point at half-time as forward Jeff Gobbels kicked the first nail into the Bulls’ coffin – marking on the Tigers’ 50 just before the siren, Gobbels went back and unloaded an awe-inspiring 60-metre torpedo straight through the big sticks to deliver a 44-point lead at the half.
Noble Park started to get its run going in the second half – kicking its way back into the match with a seven-goal third quarter – as Beau Cosson (three goals), Brett Dore (two) and McConnell kept the scoreboard ticking.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, its efforts were replicated by the Tigers – which kicked seven goals-six to waywardly keep the door slightly ajar for the Bulls.
The last quarter belonged to the Bulls – with the Tigers easing off in the last term as three Noble Park goals – one apiece to Bulls’ mainstay’s George Angelopoulos, Stewart Kemperman and rising star Luke Cody – signalled the best of the Bulls’ initiative in its last 20 minutes of season 2013.
Dore threw all of himself into the defeat while the fight all day shown by the midfield group – Vergim Faik, who battled manfully against Renwick Watts, Craig Anderson and Sam Monaghan – was exceptional and Jarryd Plymin toiled defensively.
Fogarty conceded his charges couldn’t match it with Balwyn on the day – with the Bulls outgunned by the powerhouse Tigers.
“After half time I think it was fairly even, but we simply weren’t good enough,” Fogarty said.
“Their use of the ball was far too good – far too dangerous, every time they had the ball they looked dangerous.
“They proved today – hit the scoreboard early put a lot of pressure on us and we couldn’t come back from it.”
Fogarty praised his ruck/forward workhorse Brett Dore – who copped a gash to the head – and said the entire team did what they could in spite of tremendous opposition.
“He gave everything he could – they all did – they all gave as much as they could but at the end of the day we fell short,” Fogarty said.
“We just weren’t good enough – that’s footy and full credit to Balwyn – they’re a bloody good side.”
Fogarty didn’t believe the loss was a sour way to finish the season – saying the Bulls faithful should be proud of its ability to make the grand final – its third in four years.
“Not at all – it’s disappointing to lose today but this club has got a lot to be proud about,” Fogarty said.
“Three grand finals in four years, two premierships – you’d take that every day of the week.
“We’ve just got beaten by a better side – they’re a great side Balwyn and they were too good for us today.”
For the Tigers, Rennie Gilchrist was exceptional through the midfield and a deserving winner of the Blue Ribbon Medal for best on ground, while Luke Barker and Shane Tregear also terrorised the Bulls up and down the field.
Balwyn coach Dan Donati dedicated the win to Balwyn’s 23rd man – Shaun Bergin – who passed away just over two years ago from injuries sustained in a marking contest in an EFL semi-final against Blackburn.
