Eastern league 2019: Balwyn bounces Noble Park by 83 points in Queen’s Birthday weekend clash

Balwyn’s recruits, including 18-year-old Cooper Sharman, were to the fore as the Tigers tore apart Noble Park at the Pat Wright Senior Oval.

That was Balwyn callin’.

And there was not a bit of stallin’.

Better in every position, and showing off some new players that have revitalised them, the Tigers on Saturday routed Noble Park in the Queen’s Birthday weekend match at the Pat Wright Senior Oval, winning 19.12 (126) to 6.7 (43).

Starting with a wind, they scorched to 7.4 to 0.0 in the first quarter and didn’t drop their pressure until the final term.

By that time they were almost 15 goals in front.

In excellent conditions, Noble Park kicked one goal in the first three quarters.

Long-tooth supporters couldn’t remember the last time a Noble team had looked so inferior to its opponent.

Players scrap it out in the second quarter at Noble Park.

At half time coach Mick Fogarty told his players to start again, that their previous three weeks had been strong, to wipe the scoreboard clear in their minds and earn some respectability in the second half.

But the rout continued in the third quarter, Balwyn slotting five goals and the Bulls none.

Kane Smartt got the Tigers going again with a snap from the forward pocket in front of the social club. Soon after Charley Haley, as elusive as smoke, spun out of trouble and slotted another.

The scoreboard told a sorry story for the hosts; they were split apart as they fell to their sixth consecutive defeat.

Familiar — and fabulous — Balwyn names had a hand in the victory: Rennie and Taylor Gilchrist, Marc O’Regan, Jackson Weatherald, Shaun Cross, Jeffrey Gobbels. But there was also a string of newcomers, including 18-year-old tall forward Cooper Sharman, Ryley Monkhorst, Smartt, Jack Martin, Alex Urban, Bowen Smith and Box Hill Hawks tall Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, who played his third game and so qualified for the finals.

Sharman is from Leeton, NSW, and has moved to Melbourne to study at Deakin University. He kicked three goals and is quite a prospect.

Balwyn’s Lachlan Bain marks under pressure from Bull Jayden Gee.

The Tigers shared the scoring load; they had 12 goalkickers, including three from slippery Haley, always a danger to backmen, always entertaining to watch.

“A really pleasing and even performance across the board,’’ Balwyn coach Rodney Eade said after the match.

“Started really well with the wind, played really smart into it, and it was all over at half time, really.

“It was probably our best performance of the year. We’ve had some good wins, but over four quarters, against a side that’s been going pretty well, that was really good today.’’

Eade repeated that Vermont was the team to catch, “no doubt’’.

“But only half the season has gone. Teams can improve. That’s what we’re looking to do, get a fair bit better. We’ve got some good depth.’’

VFL-listed forward Jimmy Freeman and Cam Manuel have to come back into the side.

Balwyn’s Tom Wilson celebrates a goal.

The only downer for Balwyn was the red-carding of veteran John Milhuisen in the second quarter. Milhuisen has played a lot of football, and long ago made his reputation as a good and fair player. Eade said the Tigers had watched video of the incident and thought it “just a bit of a push’’.

GOAL AFTER SIREN GIVES ROWVILLE VICTORY OVER NOBLE PARK

LIFE BAN FOR SOUTHERN LEAGUE PLAYER

MILESTONE FOR 'MR VERMONT'

Kyle Martin and Jackson Sketcher were indefatigable for Noble, as they are most weeks, and Ali Zijai and Lachie McDonnell battled hard, Zijai tackling with vigour and McDonnell looking to make things happen.

But the Bulls couldn’t name more than four players in their best-player list.

Balwyn president Richard Wilson and coach Rodney Eade make for young Cooper Sharman after the match.

Balwyn 7.4, 10.5, 15.9, 19.12 (126)

Noble Park 0.0, 1.5, 1.5, 6.7 (43)

Balwyn goals: C. Sharman 3, C. Haley 3, J. Gobbels 2, Y. Jaffer-Williams 2, B. Smith 2, L. Bain, K. Smartt, R. Gilchrist, M. O’Regan, W. Stephenson, T. Wilson, R. Monkhorst.

Best: C. Sharman, T. Gilchrist, R. Monkhorst, C. Haley, K. Smartt, Y. Jaffer-Williams

Noble Park goals: N. Oakes 2, Y. Zijai, A. Zijai, C. Anagnostou, B. Lambert.

Best: K. Martin, J. Sketcher, A. Zijai, L. McDonnell.