Eastern league 2019: O’Donnell, Williams star as Norwood sees off Noble Park

Norsemen claimed a crucial win at the Bullring as key forwards Leigh Williams and Tom Boyd kicked six goals between them in a 35-point victory.

Leigh Williams snaps a goal for Norwood as Bull Jake Gains looks to smother.

As the players took their positions on the ground, all eyes were drawn to the big fellow in the Norwood forward line, Tom Boyd.

That was understandable.

Less than three years ago he had played a pivotal part in the Western Bulldogs’ stirring AFL grand final victory over Sydney, kicking three goals and giving the North Smith Medal a nudge.

Here he was on Saturday lining up against Noble Park at the Pat Wright Senior Oval, wearing the No 5 jumper in his second outing for his junior club, his AFL days done at the age of 23.

Opposed by former Collingwood Category B rookie Darrean Wyatt, Boyd had a decent day, taking eight marks and kicking two goals.

His teammate and fellow key forward Leigh Williams had a better day, booting four goals.

And Norwood had a fine day, defeating the Bulls by 35 points to square its season at 6-6 and draw level on points with fifth-placed South Croydon.

Despite sterling performances again from Kyle Martin and Jackson Sketcher, some bursts of pace from Aaron Erbulut and a wholehearted effort from Dylan Collis, who tackled everything bar shadows, Noble was unable to go with the Norsemen in the second half.

They slipped to 5-7, their task to make the finals that more difficult. They’re still in the race, but they’re starting to drop off the pace.

Martin and Sketcher started the match brilliantly, and both finished with more than 30 possessions.

But Norwood had a more even spread of worthy players.

Martin is a bull, by club designation and the way he plays, and Norwood showed off its equivalent in midfielder Mitch “Bull’’ O’Donnell, who was the best player on the ground.

Mitch O’Donnell boots Norwood forward.

The Box Hill Hawks premiership star bored in courageously and used the ball classily.

Michael Pearson and another former AFL player, Jordan Gysberts, and big Joel Naburgs weren’t far behind him.

Naburgs kicked two goals in the first quarter, including one from a ruck contest.

It helped him match Bulls ruckman Kieren Byers, who often got first hands on the ball.

TOM BOYD RETURNS TO NORWOOD

VFL CALL-UP FOR ARIEK LUAL

With Boyd coming into the forward line, there is less of a focus on Williams, who for some time has been among the best goalkickers in Eastern ranks.

Three his four goals came in the third quarter, one of them a brilliant snap from the forward pocket, as the visitors pulled away from the Bulls.

And from a contested mark he booted the first goal of the final term. Rhett Jordon followed up soon after to put Norwood 31 points clear; it was never going to lose from there.

“It probably gives me a few different angles to work into the game,’’ Williams said when asked about the arrival of Boyd.

“He takes two defenders and I can also get to his feet and try to get some crumbing goals.’’

Norwood’s Tom Boyd and Noble’s Joel Cusack in a marking contest.

Boyd went off in the third quarter grimacing in pain and holding his right shoulder, throwing a scare into the Norwood camp.

But he reappeared a few minutes later, strapped up.

“Just a stinger,’’ was the relieved explanation from the huddle at three-quarter time.

But Norwood did lose slippery forward Jayden Kroussoratis to concussion in the first quarter, the only downer for a pleasing afternoon.

“They don’t hand out four points here very often and we were really challenged, so we’re really proud of our guys,’’ Norwood coach Marty Pask said.

“We played a really good brand of footy. We matched it with contested ball and tried to get it on the outside as much as we could.

“The last two weeks have been big weeks in the competition. With 10 teams, it’s very even and every win is earned.

Noble’s Luke Bull is tackled by Kieren West of Norwood.

“Today was a crucial game. Noble Park and us were on the same number of points so the winner was going to be able to challenge for the top five. We’ve set ourselves next week for a very big game at home against South Croydon … our season is alive again.’’

As for Boyd, Pask said he was “loving’’ his football.

“I’m proud of the way he’s come back, done everything with the group, embraced the club. As long as he feels part of it, and he’s enjoying it, that’s the most important thing.’’

From their selected side the Bulls lost Luke Nelson and Ali Zijai to VFL call-ups, and again made five changes.

With so many state league players on the books, Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty and his match committee have been unable to maintain consistency at selection.

The fact that the VFL players don’t train with Noble is another issue.