An injury cursed pre-season put a halt to Noble Park’s flag defence in 2023, just missing out on a place in the Premier Division finals series.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 7th (9-9, 114.90%)
Best and Fairest: Jackson Sketcher
Leading Goalkicker: Ben Marson (21 Goals)
Summary:
The premiership defence never got going in 2023, the Bulls suffered two heartbreaking injuries before the first bounce in Round One.
Noble Park’s biggest recruit of the season Shane McDonald went down in the pre-season with an ACL injury. That was followed by another ACL injury from superstar Kyle Martin, both midfield guns were ruled out for the year.
Despite all that, the Bulls in a Jackson Sketcher inspired game had an incredible victory in Round One in the Grand Final rematch, having to come back from a five-goal deficit at the final change.
Noble Park won the first three games of the season before losing three of the next four.
A couple of close losses in the backend of the season including a ten-point loss to the Roos in the final minutes, ultimately cost the Bulls a spot in this year’s finals series.
Key Players:
For the first time in his career, Jackson Sketcher won the Chandler Medal after what was an incredible year for the Bulls. Sketcher averaged 28 disposals and 9 clearances per game in 2023, taking on great responsibilities with the players out of the side.
Christopher Horton-Milne and Jackson Casey both played pivotal roles as well. Horton-Milne averaged 23 disposals and six clearances this year, very influential alongside Sketcher. As for Casey, he’s had an immediate impact coming across from Bonbeach. A former captain of Bonbeach, Casey’s brought plenty to the club, as well as averaging 25 disposals per season.
Ryan Morrison finished in the Team of the Year for the third consecutive year, starring in defence all year.
Best Win: Round One – Noble Park 13.10 88 def. Rowville 9.9 63 @Pat Wright Senior Oval
One for the ages. In a season opener classic, the Bulls snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a memorable Grand Final Rematch with the Hawks.
Wet and tough conditions at Pat Wright Senior Oval made for a tough slog at times throughout the afternoon. In both quarters kicking to the Moodemere Street end, Noble Park failed to convert a single goal. They went into the final term 29 points down, having kicked just five goals for the game.
Inspired by Jackson Sketcher, the Bulls piled on goal after goal in the final term, finishing with eight goals to zip to win by 25 points. Sketcher was massive with 49 disposals and four goals for the game. The skipper was forced to step up a notch in the absence of Kyle Martin, and he did just that.
Off-Season Focus:
Personally believe they’re set to be the number one biggest improver in Premier Division next season. At full strength, their midfield is one of the best in the competition, certainly where they can get on top of opposition sides.
The forward line will be a potential addressing point as they eighth ranked attacking side, averaging much less than the top six teams of this year. They did lose a fair bit of their firepower up forward at the end of 202 due to some retirements. But a lack of tall forwards will certainly be an addressing point this year.
The club has already picked up Scott McInerney, James Mccubbin as new signings while both Bailey Lambert and Luke Nelson have committed to playing full-time at the club.
Expect the Bulls to bounce back in 2024!