Eastern league 2019: Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty heaps praise on undefeated Vermont

Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty declares Vermont to be “as good a side as I’ve seen in local footy’’ after the Eagles defeat his Bulls by 52 points.

Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty. “We just couldn’t cope, our young fellas.’’

How good is Vermont?

“They’re as good a side as I’ve seen in local footy,’’ Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty declared this morning.

“They’re just so strong all across the ground.

“They’re the benchmark. They certainly are.’’

THE BASIN TO APPEAL SUSPENSION

VERMONT SETTING THE PACE

Fogarty saw his Bulls grab the lead early in the third quarter of Saturday’s Eastern league premier Division match against the unbeaten Eagles at Terrara Rd.

Then he saw Vermont respond emphatically, kicking away to a 52-point win, 15.25 (115) to 9.9 (63).

“From the second half of the third quarter to the rest of the game, they got hold of us, like good sides do,’’ Fogarty said.

“They killed us at stoppage, killed us around the footy. They threw (Mitch) Honeychurch on to the footy and he got hold of us. We just couldn’t cope, our young fellas.

“They’re the benchmark. Just a powerful side. So many really strong players. (Matt) Willcocks across half back. (Joe) Fisher across half back. (Andrew) Ainger, (Brett) Eddy and (Jake) Best up forward. Then you’ve got (Lachie) Johns, (Tom) Schneider, (Adam) Parker, (Kirby) McConnon, I mean the list goes on.

Star Vermont forward Brett Eddy.

“You’re disappointed because you work so hard to get so close and then all of a sudden, bang, it’s blown out of the water. It deflates you. It’s like popping a balloon. You’re blowing a balloon up and getting a heap of air into it and then bang.’’

But Fogarty said it was encouraging that the Bulls could match it with such an accomplished team for more than a half.

The challenge, he said, was to “hang in there longer’’.

Leaders Jackson Sketcher (39 possessions) and Kyle Martin (36) were outstanding again, Bailey Lambert kicked three goals and Ariek Lual did well on the classy Ainger.

Lambert, the son of former AFL star Craig, is on Richmond’s VFL list and patiently awaiting an opening in the state league.

“He continues to improve,’’ Fogarty said of Lambert. “I think Bailey’s going to be a very good player. He just needs an opportunity.’’

The Bulls are 3-2 and visit South Croydon in the next round.