Noble Park streaks away to 74-point win over Blackburn

PIVA Wright and Jackson Sketcher star as Noble Park runs away from Noble park in their Eastern league Division 1 clash.

Noble Park players come off the ground after their big win over Blackburn. Pic: Jen Quaife

IF Mick Fogarty said it once, he said it 50 times.

“We’ll be OK.’’

It was the Noble Park coach’s stock response to suggestions over summer that an exodus of senior players would leave the Bulls battling in 2018.

Fogarty said that for all the departures, a combination of the club’s emerging young players and recruits would ensure Noble would remain “really competitive’’.

Two rounds into the season, a bright outlook has superseded what Fogarty referred to as “the doom and gloom’’.

The Bulls pushed reigning premier South Croydon all the way in Round 1. And on Saturday they gave Blackburn a bit of a belting.

Fifteen players kicked goals as Noble won by 73 points in difficult conditions at the Pat Wright Senior Oval.

The Burners led at quarter time but by the main break Noble had a 20-point lead as both sides battled a wind that pushed across the ground.

Jackson Sketcher on the burst for the Bulls.

The second half was a rout: 13 goals to five, with the hosts finishing off with nine goals to none in the final term.

“Our last quarter was phenomenal,’’ Fogarty said this morning. “We broke it open. Really pleased because Blackburn have had it over us the last couple of years.’’

Big Piva Wright booted four goals and vice-captain Jackson Sketcher was best-afield as an onballer, hitting the 30-possession mark.

“He was really dangerous up forward. Gee he took some really strong pack marks, contested marks, really gave us an avenue towards goals,’’ Fogarty said of Wright, who returned to the Bulls this year after a stint at South Belgrave.

He said Sketcher “gave us outside run and was daring with the footy’’.

“When we got the footy we needed to energise it. In other words we needed to move and spread and get Blackburn chasing us, and ‘Sketch’ was terrific in that regard,’’ Fogarty said. “He gave us some great run and carry, was really up and about.’’

The Burners rallied early in the third quarter with three goals but Noble Park responded and dominated the rest of the match.

The Bulls had another first-gamer in junior product Anthony Marson, who joined his brother Jordan in the side.

And young Tristan Brunning came into the team and did well at half forward.

The Bulls host Norwood in Round 3.

Noble Park 2.2, 7.6, 11.11, 20.14 (134)

Blackburn 3.2, 4.4, 9.6, 9.7 (61)

GOALS, Noble Park: P. Wright 4, H. Thomas 2, J. Sketcher 2, K. Kean, L. Bull, A. Giobbi, K. Martin, K. Byers, T. Brunning, B. Hillard, M. Anderson, C. Anagnostou, T. Glen, A. Zijai, J. Marson.

BEST: J. Sketcher, P. Wright, R. Morrison, T. Glen, A. Zijai, K. Martin