EFL 2019: Noble Park falls out of Premier Division finals race

South Croydon kept its finals hopes alive after a six-goal burst early in the second quarter helped the Bulldogs to a 26-point win over Noble Park.

Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty. Picture: Chris Eastman

Noble Park had a chance to win on Saturday but South Croydon’s class and experience proved the difference in the EFL Premier Division clash.

The Bulls trailed by 11 points at three-quarter time at Pat Wright Senior Oval before the Bulldogs pulled away to a 12.11 (83) to 8.9 (57) win.

It kept the Bulldogs in the hunt for a top-five berth but ended Noble Park’s hopes of a finals appearance.

“We just had some lapses in concentration at times in that second quarter, but full credit to South. Their ability to win contested footy and get it inside 50 and put so much pressure on our defenders, we just couldn’t cope,” Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty said.

“I think they kicked six goals in 12, 14 minutes (in the second quarter).

“It was just one of those things where it was an avalanche and full credit to them, they played some really good footy.

“Matt Jones just cut us up, (Daniel) King and (Daniel) Cooper in that period but after that we were able to even it out a bit to get back on track, which I was pretty proud of the boys.

“We could have folded but the boys fought back well and gave ourselves an opportunity to win in that last quarter.”

The result meant Noble Park would miss finals for a third consecutive season, while the Bulldogs are hoping to leapfrog one of Norwood or Rowville into the top five.

South Croydon sits one game behind both sides.

Fogarty predicted the 2017 premiers would make finals.

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“They’re a good side, they’ve got some good players running around,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic (list). I think they’re going to go OK. They should make finals but they were too good for us.

“We just lacked a bit of class, finishing and we have all year.

“We average between eight and 10 goals and when you’re only kicking that, you’ve got to make sure the opposition are kicking below that.”

In a rarity, Noble Park champions Kyle Martin and Jackson Sketcher weren’t mentioned in the best players.

“They were OK but they just need support,” Fogarty said.

“They just can’t carry the team week in, week out.

“I don’t want to keep using the excuse (that we’re) young, but they’re developing and they’re getting exposed to senior EFL footy and some really good sides.

“That will only hold the club in good stead.”

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