EF: Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty laments fade-out against East Ringwood but marvels at Kyle Martin

NOBLE Park coach Mick Fogarty praises Bulls captain Kyle Martin to the skies after another fine performance in the Eastern Football League.

NOBLE Park coach Mick Fogarty offered two observations after his team’s loss to East Ringwood in the Eastern Football League on Saturday.

The young Bulls couldn’t handle their opponents’ stronger bodies when drizzle made conditions difficult in the second half, Fogarty said.

And he declared his captain, Kyle Martin, was the best player he had seen in local football.

For the third consecutive match Martin was named Noble’s best.

But the former Collingwood player’s bullocking and brilliance over four quarters couldn’t prevent East Ringwood from turning a nine-point deficit at halftime into a 31-point victory.

“We were right in it but the tide was starting to turn a little bit before half time,’’ Fogarty said.

“We just had a poor second half, struggled to compete really, which was the most disappointing thing. It started to get drizzly and wet and dark and I think — no excuses, they were too good for us, were hungrier for the contest — our light bodies couldn’t cope with their physical pressure.

“That’s probably the best way to sum it up. Our young boys have been terrific all year but struggled in those conditions and the physicality East Ringwood brought to the table. Just couldn’t cope with it. But no excuses, we were in the game and it was a game that we gave ourselves an opportunity to win.’’

It didn’t help that the Bulls were missing key pair Jackson Sketcher (overseas) and Piva Wright (illness).

Hudson Thomas kicked five goals — when your nickname is “Huddo’’ you’re expected to be handy in front of the sticks — and youngsters Lachlan Marolla, Cosi Anagnostou and Mouneer Ghanem never stopped trying.

Ahmed Kandakji made his senior debut and was handy in the forward line.

“He did OK. His first quarter was strong. He competed well,’’ Fogarty said.

But Martin was again the bearer of Noble’s standard. He has been named in the best in seven of his nine matches this season and is on course to win his 10th best and fairest in 11 seasons and his fourth on the reel for the Bulls.

He topped the award at Haileybury College in 2008, Noble Park in 2009 and ‘11, Frankston VFL in 2012, Collingwood VFL in 2013 and ‘14, and Noble again in 2015, ‘16 and ‘17.

“He was easily our best player. Gee he worked hard,’’ Fogarty said.

“He went in with an infection — he was at Casey Hospital on Thursday night. I tell you what, he is one player who can stand up under the duress. He can have a million things going on with his body but come game day he just wills himself to every contest. He’s the best player I’ve seen at local level. We can get carried away with the accolades but I know when he’s got an injury or he’s crook or whatever and he says, ‘I’ll be right, I’ll be right’. I marvel at the way he goes about it.’’

Noble Park 4.3, 7.5, 7.5, 9.9 (63)

East Ringwood 2.1, 6.2, 10.7, 14.10 (94)

Noble Park goals: H. Thomas 5, B. Lambert, M. Ghanem, W. Collis, D. Brunell

Best: K. Martin, L. Marolla, C. Anagnostou, H. Thomas, M. Ghanem, L. Bull

East Ringwood goals: A. Urban 3, J. Battaglene 2, L. Osborne 2, A. Swierzbiolek 2, S. Lowson, L. Jeffs, D. Cleven, L. Kinsella, T. Davies

Best: L. Osborne, C. Cerni, A. Urban, T. Davies, A. Renton, D. Butera