EFNL 2023: Jackson Sketcher drags Noble Park to opening-round come-from-behind victory over Rowville

A Jackson Sketcher-inspired Noble Park came from the clouds to defeat Rowville in a thrilling finish to the Eastern league Premier Division grand final rematch on Saturday.

THE occasion demanded a hero – and the captain stood tall.

A Jackson Sketcher-inspired Noble Park overturned a 29-point three quarter-time deficit to defeat Rowville in the Eastern league Premier Division grand final rematch on Saturday.

The former ‘Recruit’ star finished with four goals – including 3.3 in the final term – as the reigning premier rattled home with 8.4 to 0.1 in the 13.10 (88) to 9.10 (64) victory.

Leading the club in his own right following a season-ending ACL injury to co-captain Kyle Martin during the week, Sketcher spurred the Bulls into action with three majors in the opening six minutes of the last quarter.

Jackson Sketcher kicked three final-quarter goals to help the Bulls to victory. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Noble Park senior coach Steve Hughes praised Sketcher’s steely resolve in response to the Bulls’ goalless first and third terms, kicking just 5.4 (34) to 9.9 (63) to the final change.

“He showed the boys that he believed,” Hughes said.

“Even when he kicked the first one (of the last quarter) … we were still four goals down in pretty ordinary conditions, but I noticed his body language was ‘we’re still in this’.

“He’s not a known midfield goal kicker, but for him to kick four today was exactly what we needed.

“He’s had a tough week, too – they’re (Sketcher and Martin) best mates and thick as thieves, so it’s weighed on him as much anyone this week … he’d be pretty proud of himself.”

Ben Marson edged the hosts ahead by four points 22 minutes into the last with his second goal of the match, before majors to Hudson Thomas, Jack Francis and debutant Nathan Noblett sealed the deal.

Hughes said livewire Harley Fairbank proved pivotal in “hitting the front of packs” as he finished with three goals, alongside Lachie Quaife’s “outstanding” forward pressure in the final-quarter revival.

“Our forward connection was a real issue – we had four or five flying into the one contest and probably just got away from what roles the players were trying to play,” Hughes said.

“It was ordinary footy to watch and every entry we had, Rowville really had us with their intercept marking and were able to defend the crowded packs basically, we tried to isolate some contests late which worked reasonably well.

“We used the old adage ‘markers are there to mark and crumbers are there to crumb’ and I think we got back to that a little bit.”

Noble Park coach Steve Hughes. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Rowville’s Mav Taylor bagged five majors – including three in the second term to spearhead the Hawks’ ascendancy, as debutant and former Eastern Ranges captain Cal Verrell finished among the visitors’ best.

Emotions stirred at the final siren following a week Hughes said had “flattened everybody”, alongside the recent ACL injury to decorated recruit Shane McDonald.

“It’s just a reminder of what footy can do a bit, I reckon,” Hughes said.

“I thought I’d been punched in the nose a few times this week with the bad news, or even over the last few weeks to be honest.

“Halfway through the third quarter you’re a bit down in the dumps with the way you’re playing and then to see the boys deliver what they did in the last quarter, you’re up and about again.

“I’m really proud of them.”

Noble Park 0.2 5.2 5.4 13.10 (88)

Rowville 2.6 5.7 9.9 9.10 (64)

Noble Park

Goal kickers:

J. Sketcher 4, H. Fairbank 3, B. Marson 2, J. Francis, H. Thomas, N. Noblett, M. Clarke

Best players:

J. Sketcher, C. Horton-Milne, J. Casey, R. Morrison, L. Quaife, H. Fairbank

Rowville

Goal kickers:

M. Taylor 5, A. Zijai, M. Davey, L. McDonald, J. Arundell

Best Players:

M. Taylor, B. Coleclough, C. Verrell, K. Stainthorpe, N. Schoenmakers