Welcome to Season 2019! We have had a disjointed start to the season with a long break in-between but can now look forward to some fabulous Sundays of football.

I would like to welcome all our new Bullants players and families on behalf of our club. We are privileged to have such a supportive community, with present and past members coming from our diverse northern area.

I would also like to acknowledge all our sponsors for this year:
Hocking Stuart Preston (Major Sponsor)
Zonta Group (Under 15s)
Nixon Finance (Under 14s)
Rosebank Cricket Club (Under 12s)
Metro Sealants (Under 9s Red)
Southern Meat Company (Canteen/BBQ)

If you are interested in sponsoring a team, please email contact@prestonbullantsjfc.com.au.

We have some fantastic rounds planned for this year -
Mother’s Day Sunday 12 May
Indigenous Round Sunday 26 May
Sock It to MND Sunday June 16

Also, please keep an eye out for details of our annual fundraiser - the Bullants Bash!

Unfortunately Preston City Oval has been deemed unsafe to play on until June 9 due to works done to the boundary fence so we will be playing most our games at Zwar Park this season. We are also putting in a submission to Darebin Council for new club rooms at Zwar Park so please lobby your local councillors for their support!

Suki
President
Preston Bullants JFC

The second round of Tacker’s Red season kicked off at the beautiful WT Peterson Oval in Fitzroy. After the first round against Brunswick we knew we’d meet sterner opposition and indeed we did. After winning the toss captains Remi and Percy followed the coach’s suggestion and kicked into the breeze…. nice one coach! And didn’t they use the breeze! The difference between Fitzroy winning the game in the first 10 minutes and us staying in it was the stoic and brave backline of Andrew, Jayden, Remi, Caden and Percy. They were all amazing under repeated attacks. Tackling, chasing and using the ball well out of full back to find targets. Caden’s tackling was fierce, Jayden’s kicking was pin point and Andrew ran into space like his life depended on it. All great. In the end Fitzroy got a few points, but really those guys saved the game there and then.

In the second term, we fought back. Our brave backs went into the middle and started winning ball. The forward line got some opportunities and we’re unlucky to miss. Marc’s particularly neat sidestep and snap would have been a cracker but just missed. Still, our backs held the line, Jamie W was sensational with a classic hip and shoulder on a bigger opponent. Benny P was tireless in attack, working to create opportunities. It’s also great to see Spencer tackling and getting down the bottom of packs, adding this tough edge to his much improved kicking and handballing. Well done mate.

Come the third term we were a bit buggered. We dropped off a little and let Fitzroy back as they got on top of the midfield battle. They got a couple of cheap which is a good lesson to our Bullants to man up and not let them get out the back. But we got a few opportunities with Harry providing the clean run to some hard ball wins from the likes of Louis, Luca and Taj.  Luca took a great mark with his hands and his nose…ouch…but the ball was ours and we pumped it into the forward line. Andrew, ever the opportunist, ran long and wide putting the ball onto his trusty left for a goal. Great goal mate. And that spark seemed to spring us into life…. because the last quarter was all Bullants.

The midfield led by Sam H, Zac, Benny P, Jonah and Joe got on top and gave our forwards quality opportunities and once in there the forwards were tenacious. In the goal of the year so far Jamie W rolled one in from deep in the right forward pocket to the delight of spectators who rode the ball home. Awesome Jamie. Harry slotted one with typically excellent foot skills after showing real dash and Louis got on the end of a third with a great intercept, punch and run into an open goal. It really was one way traffic and a credit to all the kids who ran the game out so hard.

The best things about the tackers in 2019 is how they use their skills. They’re looking for teammates by foot and hand and more often than not hitting their targets. But perhaps most of all they don’t give up. It would have been easy to get overwhelmed in the first quarter, but we didn’t. We fought on and in the end had the game on our terms.

A brilliant effort all round. Well done boys.

Go Bullants!

It was a grey old morning at Zwar – the reverence of the line up to mark Anzac Day commemorations was not lost on the boys as they stood proudly alongside Hawthorn Citizens and there was a sense of relief and joy at being back to footy after the initial break from Round 1. With our numbers a little low we were very grateful for the assistance offered by some of the Under 10 boys who played up for us. A huge shout out to Ned, Patrick, Dylan and Oscar for agreeing to play an extra match and thanks to their parents also for hanging around to support us all.

The Hawthorn Citizens team had a dead ringer for Harry Himmelberg the GWS player and he seemed almost as big as Harry too. The Hawthorn team had some dash and height and the first few minutes of the match were fiercely contested and then Hawthorn settled with strong marking and precise kicking.  The first quarter belonged to Hawthorn who were able to score 1 goal 4 points. Our backline did a great job stopping their attacking pressure meaning they weren’t always able to capitalise on their attacks at goal. In the quarter time break coach Steve talked about the need to make clearances and offer leads going into the second quarter. Following on from our last match our tackling pressure and intensity at the ball was again impressive.

The second quarter was possibly one of the best we have ever played. Our attack on the ball and working to convert the 1%ers as Steve had asked was on display. Shep was asked to tag Harry Himmelberg and slow down his run and drive. The contested ball was impressive and it wasn’t long before we were able to put our first goal on the board thanks to a lovely mark and goal by Archie. This quarter had it all- brilliant attacking pressure and our backmen standing up to Hawthorn. Leo smothered and defended strongly; Jack was marking well; Shep was running hard and keeping his player out of the contest. There was plenty to like and we went into the half time break only 3 points down with the score 1.2.8 to 1.5.11.

Steve’s message at half time was that we had thrown so much at Hawthorn they were now feeling that pressure and were worried by us. Our pressure was causing turnovers and we now needed to capitalise on our opportunities; continue our intensity and pressure and tackling power and also keep enjoying the footy.

The third quarter was again a really tightly contested quarter with some outstanding goal saving work done by Tom to punch a ball clear and continue to contest the ball and clear the ball from a certain goal. It is hard to name all the good work that was done as there were so many taps and tackles and marks and kicks but Jack, Zac, Archie, Josh, Shep and Leon worked hard to clear the ball from the midfield and stop the flow of play into Hawthorns forward line. Unfortunately we were not able to put more than a point on the scoreboard and Hawthorn managed to add 1 goal 2 points so our deficit at the break was 10 points.

The message before the final quarter term was “You got this” and we asked for the boys to believe they could come from behind. We needed to find the loose players and make sure we were manning up and continue to hold the line in our defence. Sadly we were not quite able to stem the Hawthorn attack as they managed to kick 2 further goals but our boys were gallant and continued to work hard and apply pressure. The Hawthorn team had a bit of extra height and muscle and the score line of 33-9 really doesn’t reflect how well our boys performed…all in the spirit of working together and playing for each other and continuing to work hard and attack the ball. Jack was a most deserving recipient of the player of the day from Hawthorn – congratulations Jack and this week at training we will continue to work on our “brand” of footy as a playing group. What does that mean and what do we need to work on?

The newly sponsored Preston Bullants "Rosebank Cricket Club Under 12s" were back in the swing of things after what felt like a long Easter break.

Coach Scott gave the boys clear instruction pre-match. "Hard at the footy. Be aware of where your player is. No Walking! Always moving, providing options. HARD AT THE FOOTY". Followed up by the familiar pregame rev up:

'Whose ball is it?' "Ours!!"
‘Whose ground is it?' "Ours!!"
'Whose game is it?' "Ours!!"
'Who are we?' "The Bullants!!"

Our captains for the day Jake (Back), Darby (Midfield), Callum (Forward) lead the team out for the ANZAC Observance. A respectful silence washed over the team and a steely look of determination in their eyes for what lay ahead.

Preston were under pressure from the first bounce against a tall, well drilled and physical team. We got good practice nailing our tackles and our second efforts) were exactly the brand of footy we aim to play. Sam's hard at the footy approach delivered some of our first attacks into the forward line. Bulleen came out firing, full of run and converted their efforts for 4 goals 3 behinds in the first quarter.

The quarter time address focused on the positives (our tackles and second efforts). Then instruction was given on what the boys needed to do next; communicate, demand the ball, make leads and honour leads with good delivery. Punch the ball in defence rather than trying to mark.

The second term was a far more even affair and the Preston showed what we were capable of controlling the footy and keeping it in our half for longer. Watto was strong in the ruck contest and the team made space and strung together a number of passages of play to repel from defence and go on the attack. A highlight was Harry by foot to Dom, mark and then kick onto Tom Maddison streaming down the ground. Tamer made a strong tackle, was rewarded with a free kick at a tight angle and was unlucky not to convert for a goal. The more physical body work and determination was rewarded with a great goal to Kes opening our scoring. Bulleen were held to one goal straight for the quarter.

The team broke up at Half Time and took instruction from their respective area coaches on the finer points of the game. Then head coach Scott Maddison gave a quiet but stirring fire up address. "Get angry, protect your mates, Sheppard and protect the ball carrier, there is always a job to do". The third quarter saw much more consistent pressure from Preston. As instructed Tamer used his body in the ruck and went for shorter more direct taps. Sam repeatedly drove the ball into the forward line. Callum was going for his marks and we were able to string together more intentional passages of play. Tamer took a good mark in front of goal but it proved a little too far out and the kick resulted in a rushed behind. Bulleen took the few opportunities they had and kicked truly for 3 goals straight.

3 Quarter Time. Queue the snakes. Add a brief coaches address 'do whatever it takes to impose yourself on the game'.

Boom! A ferocious start to the last term. Sage, a warrior, repeatedly hunting down the ball and going back on after late injuries. Marcus using his speed to get to the ball and get free. The intensity quite clearly rattled an otherwise dominant performance from Bulleen. Bulleen lost their focus on the ball while The Rosebank Bullants did what was asked; mate looking after mate, protecting the ball handler with shepherds and body work. Our focus and attention on the footy was rewarded with a great mark by Callum which he goaled, in what was the only score for the quarter. A small win but a much larger test of character.

Our boys are led by a terrific coaching staff and our brand is focused on letting our footy do the talking. 

While we did not win the battle our players listened to their instruction, all improved over the game and played like a team. 

Hold your heads high Bullants you did us proud.

Lest We Forget.    

On Sunday, the boys played on the WT Peterson oval in Fitzroy - to take on Fitzroy 2.

Bullant team would like to welcome back Keelan who played his first game for this season, after having a big break in Queensland last year, and we welcomed Ben playing his first game for the mighty Bullants!

Kicking into a slight breeze the Bullants got off to a great start, kicking four goals to 1 in the first quarter, showing some outstanding team work and sharing of the ball.

The second quarter was the same as the first with the Bullant boys kicking a further 6 goals to none, so going in at half time leading by 10 goals to 1.

Better players for this half of the game were Asher in the forward pocket and Josh Hassel playing forward and back.

The young Bullants continued to play well and play their team football with a " run and share" in the third quarter to kick a further 3 goals to 1.  Elliot kicking his first goal for the Bullants and Rylan kicking his first goal - well done boys!

The last quarter of footy saw the boys continue with a further 6 goals to 0.

Coaches were very pleased to see the amount of sharing the ball around, so they could get themselves into better positions throughout the game - this is great team work.

Next week will see the boys come up against the stronger opposition, so get to training and keep working on your skills and the great team work.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday Tom C!

Well done - yours in footy

After a few changes to our on field leaders and the injection of some extra brain power into the coaching ranks, the 2019 Bullants girls’ team model is looking good for the season ahead. Freya was promoted to co-captain to help Victoria while Erin, Ella and Olivia are sharing the vice-captaincy duties. Simon and Jules assisting Emma and me on the sidelines have added invaluable experience and football knowledge. We had a first round bye and only a couple of practice games under our belts but we were ready to show our Anzac spirit against Heidelberg in Round 2. Heidelberg was short on numbers so the girls decided to help out, with four of our girls playing a quarter each for the opposition. The four new faces for our team this year – Ginger, Lauren, Tahlia and Rose – were ready to play in the red and white and all had huge smiles on their faces prior to the first bounce. Conditions were tough early and the fight from the opposition was on. Caitlin, playing for Heidelberg in the first quarter, was getting plenty of the ball across half back. Our usual suspects, Freya and Lucy in the engine room started well with Ella, Erin and Marianne consistently repelling attacks. The first quarter was tight and both teams failed to trouble the scoreboard.

The second quarter saw us step up our intensity with our new girls leading the way. Ginger’s run from the backline was reminiscent of a young Luke Hodge while Rose’s defensive efforts up forward helped us lock the ball in our forward 50. Gabby was starting to find the footy and her kicking into our forwards and into space were a real highlight of the term. Ayva Bekki playing for the opposition was her typical tenacious self even in the wrong coloured jumper. This attitude typifies the sportsmanship of this group of girls. We finally hit the scoreboard with both captains combining to see Freya kick a great snap. She has been working on her kicking over the summer and I was pumped when I saw the yellow Sherrin split the big sticks. Charlotte and Olivia sharing the ruck duties were grinding the opposition down in their usual style while Libby gave us run and carry out of the backline. With the quarters cut back to 12.5 minutes it felt like just as we were getting on a roll as the siren sounded. At half time Heidelberg 0.0.0 trailed Preston 1.1.7.

The third quarter saw Libby pull on the Tigers jumper for the opposition and play up forward for them, gathering a few timely possessions. The injection of a couple of late arrivals into the opposition midfield meant the game turned up a notch. Our girls sensed the challenge like a good side should, and some individual efforts need special mention. Rose tackled her opponent, who was twice her size, and was rewarded with a free kick in our forward 50. She did exactly what we had trained for and booted the ball to the hot spot. Even though we didn’t score, to see one of the new girls follow the game plan was extremely pleasing. Lauren was moved to centre half forward for team balance. She attacked the football like Dermot Brereton of the late 1980s. Zara and Ella were making it impossible for the opposition to score with some tight defensive football. The game was definitely not over but I felt we had another gear up our sleeve. At the last break the scores were Heidelberg 0.0.0 to Preston 1.1.7.

The final quarter was a beauty with Heidelberg scoring a behind early on to make the difference a solitary goal. With the shorter quarter times we needed to find something and quickly. Erin, who had been brilliant all day, kept providing run from half back and along with Ginger got the ball into our forward line where Freya, Gabby and Lucy were involved with a handball chain resulting in Tahlia kicking her first goal for the club. Zara volunteered to play for the opposition in the last quarter and was solid in her attack at the ball. Olivia and Charlotte were given the job of tightening up defensively in the midfield, and we locked the ball in our forward half for the remaining few minutes, banking the points away from home – a hard fought and clinical win which sets up our year. The last time we played this team we were close but went down by a couple of points to miss the finals. This shows how far we have come since we started in 2017. The best players on the day were Erin, Lucy, Gabby, Ayva B, Ginger, Marianne and Caitlin. Well done girls, and I can’t wait to see where this year will take us.

Thanks to Jules and Simon for their coaching and running assistance. Thanks to Mish for once again taking on the role as Team Manager and Bek the  role of Trainer. Both these ladies are a great support to me and the girls. Thanks to Pauline, Dean, Marc, Stuart, Sonja and Jim for their match day roles.

George Cotsonis

The Preston Bullants visited Surrey Park at Bulleen Park Oval No. 1 for their round two away fixture. Despite competing well for the last three quarters, the boys were unable to peg back Surrey Park’s first quarter lead.

The hosts got the jump on the Bullants early on, with their first few entries forward yielding only minor results thanks to a steadfast Bullants defence. With their strong marking targets around the ground, Surrey Park would eventually get their breakthrough goal, and ended up kicking seven goals for the quarter to establish a commanding lead at quarter-time.

When Surrey Park kicked a quick goal from a centre clearance as the second quarter began, their eighth for the match, it seemed our boys would have their work cut out for them today. The boys responded admirably, limiting Surrey Park to two goals in the second and third quarters. The Bullants’ panacea for the opposition ball movement and strong marking, was their own trademark attack in the contest. While Cooper’s move to defence provided our own strong intercept option, our defenders were uncompromising. Jacob and Brody were often first to the incoming ball, and Lachie chopped off many attacking plays. While Josh was presented with an opportunity at goal after some good ball movement between Jordan and Makaio through the wing, it wasn’t until Nathan centred the ball from the forward pocket that the Bullants finally got their first goal, Lucas marking the ball and calmly converting his set shot.

Surrey Park’s two goals for the second and third quarters belied the amount of pressure the Bullants boys were under. Surrey Park were not without their own opportunities, and the boys worked tirelessly to stay in the game. Our midfield bulls asserted their presence, through Nathan, who imposed himself with his strong physical presence and perseverance, and Josh, desperate to run down the ball carrier and showing courage in marking contests. Defenders Callum and Rufus also charged at the footy, following up with successive efforts, refusing to give up. Buoyed by the desperation, Jack up forward created his own chance at goal, laying a tackle and converting from the resulting free.

The final quarter provided some great contests and some spark around the ground, Seb R pushing up the ground to influence marking contests, and Caspian with his flair and run up the wing. Surrey Park would go on to kick four more goals, until late in the quarter, Jordan’s tenacity was awarded with a free kick with which he passed to Lucas for the Bullants’ final goal. Full credit to the Bullants who, despite trailing by a big margin early in the proceedings, dug deep and remained competitive for the rest of the match.

Go BULLANTS!

I was going to lead off with the classic cliché, just as in cricket, catches win matches, so as in footy goals win games. However I read a snazzy line on Monday that went, winners grin and losers spin. I don’t mean to spin this tale when I say that Bulleen didn’t necessarily win the match as much as the Bullants fell short. The talent is surely there. Across the ground. But it is going to take a few weeks for the squad to synch. Last week we saw plenty of that potential. This week we played a team that moved just a beat or two quicker. And that caught us out. When the talent stood up we looked the killer team that we will become. Yes, this is the sort of game you want to play this early in the season. Losing to a very good team that you can definitely match it with. If the Bullants (team and each player) learn a thing or two from this game it will stand them in good stead for the weeks ahead.

Before the game got underway both teams observed a minute’s silence in respect of ANZAC Day.

The Bullants started well, Billy letting the opposition know he meant business. The Bullants were sharing the ball. In fact our first goal, following a strong mark by Rory and a 15 m free kick, resulted from the team moving the ball swiftly down the field. Our defence was holding up. Ben D took a good mark.

Bulleen were starting to come into the game and were getting on top. As quick as we were to have control, in a moment we were chasing. Bullants weren’t finding position or marking players. And just as Bulleen looked like they would make something of this attack Sam, outa nowhere out played several opposition players, finds some time and space and send the ball into an open forward line. Rory runs into the ball and into his second for the match.

Sam was again in the mix, this time his and Ted’s pressure forced Bulleen to kick out on the full. Not to be denied Bulleen again showed they were going to be hard to beat, moving the ball with speed down the line. Terry marked deep in defence to finish the quarter.

The coaches demanded more voice, especially at stoppages. Talk and keep talking. Increase the forward pressure. Make smart switches. Share the footy.

This was good advice. I reckon pressure applied to Bulleen would see them come unstuck. Terry stuck to the script with a terrific bump. Jack K upped the pressure. Zac did a magician’s grab and bolted forward. Brodie took a strong, don’t mess with me, mark. The tension in the game was at snapping level. We had applied the pressure and that in turn assisted us to keep breaking their lines. For a moment Bulleen look flustered. Josh was working hard and took the ball deep into forward territory. Billy was giving first, second and third efforts. Ben T, Johnny and Terry were holding our defensive line. Then Johnny made a great run out of the backline. Hamilton made a great stoppage and Jack K and Sam were on song. Jack K’s ruck work, around the ground, was top notch. Even though a goal was not scored by either team in the quarter it was terrific footy!

Six goals were kicked after the main break in a quarter that Bulleen finally got on top. Not without a hard fought battle. Zac was working hard in the middle and getting the ball out to forwards like ever-ready battery, Johnny. Brodie was doing his usual excellent, never say die, work. Ben took a backman’s mark. Hamilton, Josh and Luka combined to thwart a Bulleen attack. The tempo, good friends, had lifted. Just as the game was on knife’s edge Bulleen were gifted two goals from two frees in a couple of minutes. I’m not saying the frees weren’t there but it cruelled a hard edged contest.

The Bullants reset. A Zac tackle was inspired. Then Billy took the ball down the wing and flank. Then Brodie laid an even better tackle. Finally, a goal when Zac found Rory and he kicked true. Then another five minutes of top of the shelf pressure and a range of efforts before Zac cut through a pack and goaled. Our backline has some excellent players but in this quarter Terry and Hamilton were tops. Billy and Brodie tried to make one last run deep into the forward half but the siren beat them.

Bulleen were three points ahead going into the last quarter. Terry and Ben D combined to send the ball far from the maddening back half. As much as our defence was doing its job, Bulleen were finding their own second wind and had the momentum. After a struggle in which neither team refused to yield and out of a nothing scrap of play Bulleen scored. Then Bulleen from a free on their goal line scored and went further ahead. In a low scoring dogged battle that should have been enough. But the Bullants had other ideas. Jack E laid a great tackle. Brodie spun out a pack wired to explode and took off. Jackson laid a great tackle. Brodie was a damned tackling machine. If Bulleen were going to leave Zwar with the four points it would be bruised and limping. Jackson found a target (sorry I didn’t get his name/number) who kicked our fifth. With several minutes left and two goals in it both teams lifted their intensity. Bullants defensive efforts were worth cheering.

The Bullants lost to a better team (on the day) but they certainly won the admiration of their family and friends. And, I dare say, their opponents. There is a lot to like in this Colts squad.