EFNL 2022: Noble Park defeats Rowville by 46 points in Premier Division grand final
Many fairytales were fulfilled in Noble Park’s upset victory over minor premier Rowville in the EFNL Premier Division decider on Saturday ...
Eastern
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NOBLE PARK senior coach Steve Hughes describes it as a “dream come true”.
The Bulls bolted to an upset premiership win on Saturday, dethroning minor premier Rowville to the tune of 46 points at Bayswater Oval.
The 9.16 (70) to 2.12 (24) victory signals a 25th senior flag for Noble Park – and the club’s first since 2011.
Frankston-listed forward Blake O’Leary claimed the Cliff Tomkins-Blue Ribbon Medal as best afield in an unrelenting pressure display which netted two goals.
Noble Park finished second at the end of the home-and-away campaign and had lost all three matches to Rowville heading into the decider, including a semi-final by 36 points.
Turning the tables looked ominous from the second term, as the Bulls finished the half with a run of six consecutive majors to lead by 33 points at the main break.
The four-quarter domination, which held the Hawks goalless in the second and final quarters, ranks highly for the newly-crowned premiership coach.
“The players were absolutely outstanding … one of the best local performances – I’m probably a little bit biased – that I’ve seen,” Hughes said.
“I thought against a quality opposition we were absolutely relentless – we didn’t let them breathe.
“Usually, you get tired playing that brand of football, but we never relented. We just didn’t allow our opponents to have any clean possession of the footy … we were up and at ‘em, and that was the key to the game for us.
“It was more around our own brand, being able to be harder for longer and maintain and sustain the pressure game that we try and execute each week.
“Being able to deliver that on the big stage is something I’m really proud of.”
Hughes lauded O’Leary’s showing as “incredible”, revealing the best-on-ground performance came despite a fractured pelvis.
“It was absolutely touch-and-go as to whether he would play last week, but he’s an unbelievable competitor, and a very driven and obsessive footballer to be honest. An enormous talent, he was outstanding, all credit to him,” Hughes said.
The final siren drew the curtain for two of the Bulls’ favourite sons, with forwards Shayne Allan and Ziggie Alwan hanging up the boots.
The pair featured in the club’s 2010 and ’11 flags under Mick Fogarty, with Saturday’s triumph capping decorated careers.
Allan finishes with more than 400 goals and 200 games to his name, while Alwan clocks off with more than 150 matches, also taking in stints with Norwood (SANFL) and VFL outfit Frankston.
Their retirements certainly didn’t go unheralded by players, coaches and supporters alike.
“It’s all part of the emotion that’s spilt over in the rooms … everybody’s really emotional,” Hughes said after the match.
Guiding the Bulls to a flag holds a special significance for Hughes, whose long and storeyed family history at the club is unparalleled.
The club’s home ground – Pat Wright Senior Oval – is named after his maternal grandfather, while parents, Wayne and Helen, among other relatives, are life members.
It’s been a second home to Hughes for as long as he can remember, having also played senior football at the Bulls.
“I sort of had to check myself a little bit – it is a dream for me, I grew up at the place,” Hughes said.
“One of the more special things in my life is this football club, so to be able to deliver a premiership was my dream and my head’s still spinning.”
And to lift the cup with captain and eight-time best-and-fairest Kyle Martin is a moment the coach will never forget.
“I’ve been close with him since he was 12 years old – I coached him in the under-13s … my very first coaching job, so for it to culminate in lifting the cup up with him, it was a special moment for both of us,” Hughes said.
“He said to me afterwards that his footy journey is complete.
“Whenever he does finish up, which obviously won’t be now, but when he does, he’s a content and satisfied person.
“He drips blue and gold blood, Kyle, he’s incredibly loyal. And when you’re the marquee player in this competition which he has been for a number of years, his loyalty to this club is incredible.”
Hughes paid tribute to Rowville which he believes will “100 per cent” bounce back.
But he didn’t undersell the journey of the club he’s steered through a pandemic on the way to its fifth flag in the Eastern league.
“On the back of Covid, it’s been a really difficult time in local football for the game to be taken away from them for the best part of two years,” he said.
“We’ve worked bloody hard, as have a lot of clubs – I’m just incredibly proud of our club, and our supporters were incredible.”
Rowville 1.3 1.6 2.8 2.12 (24)
Noble Park 3.3 6.9 7.12 9.16 (70)
ROWVILLE
Goalkickers: Nik Schoenmakers, Mav Taylor
Best players: Mitchell Sruk, Taine Barlow, Anthony Brolic, Kane Young, Nik Schoenmakers, Cooper MacDonald
NOBLE PARK
Goalkickers: Bailey Lambert, Lachlan McDonnell, Blake O’Leary 2, Josh Stern, Kieren Byers, Jordan Marson
Best players: Blake O’Leary, Kyle Martin, Chris Horton-Milne, Liam Scott, Lachlan McDonnell, Jackson Sketcher
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