EFL 2018: Noble Park reappoints two-time premiership winner Mick Fogarty as senior coach

NOBLE Park has locked in three key figures for 2019 — coach Mick Fogarty and champion players Kyle Martin and Jackson Sketcher as it looks for a return to finals.

NOBLE Park has granted Mick Fogarty’s wish, reappointing him as senior coach for 2019.

And the Bulls have also re-signed their captain and champion midfielder Kyle Martin and vice-captain Jackson Sketcher.

SHARKS FINISH STRONG TO OVERCOME BULLS

FOGARTY DECLARES INTEREST IN REMAINING AS COACH

Fogarty said last Sunday that he was keen to go on with the Bulls, and president Grant Connolly said on Thursday the club was equally enthusiastic about retaining him.

“He’s a good coach — he’s proved that — and he’s been a fantastic person around the club,’’ Connolly said.

Kyle Martin collects another possession. Picture: Chris Eastman/AAP

“Aside from that, we started a journey this year and we’re one year into it and we think we’ve made some positive inroads and established a good foundation going forward.

“Mick’s been a huge part of that and it’s only fair he continue to do that.’’

Fogarty coached Noble Park to the 2010-11 premierships and to the 2013 grand final before stepping down. He returned to Moodemere St in 2015.

Noble farewelled more than half its team at the end of last season but with a recast side has reached 6-10 with a percentage of 95.56 with two rounds to go.

Connolly said the Bulls were capable of playing finals next year.

“I think that’s not unrealistic,’’ he said.

Jackson Sketcher on the go for Noble Park. Picture: James Ross/AAP

“We think we’ve got a good young list at the moment, a developing list. We’ll certainly look around. We need a couple of more players to a complement what we’ve got.

“Like every club we could do with a forward, a midfield, a back. But one of the things we do lack is probably a bit of leadership, a 25, 26-year-old.

“A lot of responsibility has been put on the shoulders of ‘Marto’ (Martin) and ‘Sketch’ (Sketcher), unfairly I think, but that’s the way it is. So we’ll try to fill that void.’’

Connolly said Martin and Sketcher had been outstanding leaders.

The president confirmed that VFL clubs had already made contact with the Bulls about half back Tom Glen and forward/midfielder Luke Nelson.