By ROY WARD
NOBLE Park may have been a little sloppy in its first-up win over East Burwood on Saturday, but make no mistake: the Bulls are once again a serious Eastern Football League division 1 premiership contender.
The Bulls stormed home in the second half to kick 16 goals to just two and record an 86-point win over the Rams at Pat Wright Senior Oval.
Noble Park won 21.13 (139) to 7.11 (53).
Bulls coach Mick Fogarty expects significant improvement to his side after its inconsistent performance against the Rams.
Fogarty was critical of his players’ effort levels in the first half and their desire to run back in defence when the Rams had the ball.
“Having said that, we were down two rotations by the second quarter, and having said that, all our practice games were 20-minute, no time on matches, so we actually played an extra quarter today compared with the previous weeks. We got away with it today and it’s always great to get a round one win, but there is work to do.”
The Bulls will have to play without star forward Shayne Allan for the next two to four weeks after he injured his hamstring in the first quarter.
Captain Craig Anderson, playing his first game since a shoulder injury ended his season last year, went off with a pulled abductor muscle late in the match.
Fogarty said Anderson would most likely miss one match but may still play this weekend.
Luke Mann had ankle soreness and would be tested this week. Injuries plagued the Bulls’ campaign last season.
Fogarty said one of his side’s strengths this season was depth and it showed with new recruits Brett Dore, Luke Smith and Vergim Faik all showing touches of class.
Midfielder Tim Kelly was named best on ground with countless possessions around midfield and defence.
Kelly received the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon medal and the Bulls won the Blue Ribbon Shield, contested by the two clubs each year.
Kelly went overseas with teammate Sam Monaghan and missed eight matches last season before returning without the fitness he usually possessed.
But against the Rams, Kelly showed he was again in fine form.
“We believe we have great depth this year,” Fogarty said. “We have a lot of guys who can step up into the side and impact the game.
“Tim Kelly, class player — he held us up down back today along with Rob and Stewart Kemperman. They all stood up when we needed them, which was encouraging.”
The Bulls face another stern test when they play Blackburn at Blackburn this Saturday. Fogarty is looking forward to another chance to advance his side.
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