Indigenous Round

We at the Preston Bullants JFC would like to acknowledge  the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional owners of the land upon which the PBJFC stands.
We were very privileged have Uncle Bill Nicholson perform a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. It was terrific to see so many Bullants players and families be involved in this inaugural event. I think everyone there found it a very moving and informative ceremony. It was fantastic to listen to Uncle Bill talk about the history of Marngrook and the responsibility that all Australians have to care for our land. It was a wonderful experience for our players and families to walk through the smoke onto the footy field.

The AFL Indigenous Round is great way to celebrate our Indigenous culture and the contribution that Indigenous people have made to our game. We are hoping to make this an annual event at the PBJFC!

Suki
President
Preston Bullants JFC

On the back of their first win for the season the U12’s ventured to North Balwyn somewhere to take on Greythorn. With the coach sidelined with a loss of voice (not undertaking contract negotiations at Arden St as some have rumoured) the succession plan came into play with Wato and Rob taking the reins. Pre-game and after weeks of deliberation, we announced our Captain and Vice Captains for the season. Based on leadership, work ethic and Bullant fighting spirit the following players were announced to the team. Sage – Captain. Vice Captains: Jake, Hamish, Ned, Patty and Marcus. The team applauded the choices and were reminded that leadership and work ethic is the responsibility of the entire team, not being listed was not a reflection on the rest of the team…. we just couldn’t recognise everyone. I will be speaking with Sage and his VC’s about the great responsibility they have been given and the fact that the Coaching group will hold them accountable for the execution of their roles.
Warm-ups done, Sage duly won the toss and elected to kick “up-hill” on the sloping ground but with a slightly favourable breeze.

Q1
Quick breaks out of the middle and great attack on the footy saw plenty of play in the Bullants forward 50. Woody looked dangerous and opened his account with a minor score, while everyone chipped in with great tackles and repeated efforts to keep in locked in. Its wasn’t long before Tom Maddison got the crowd to its feet with a great roving goal…and then tore the game wide open when a great centre clearance (Wato to Sage to Tom) saw him mark, take off and within the space of 30 seconds and 2 bounces, slot the Bullants second. For the rest of the quarter, the Bullants were at their best. Billy’s second and third efforts ensured repeated forward 50 entries and it was only a matter of time before Woody’s hard work reaped reward with a strong mark and goal. The Bullants were doing everything to plan and working hard. Thomas Venuto and Ned set the standard for tackling (and would do so for the entire game). Wato had rucked well for the bulk of the quarter then Dash took to the ground to give him a break. Unfortunately, the knee injury sustained at training left Dash sore and without his usual pace…he would take no further part in the game, but showed great support and team spirit from the bench, showing the leadership we had asked for pre-game. A late charge from Greythorn close to the siren saw them score a solitary behind before a very upbeat Bullants side jogged off the field. Bullants 3.1.19 Greythorn 0.1.1.

Q2
The second quarter saw Greythorn with the wind and an arm-wrestle ensued. All around the ground the Bullants were doing the 1%ers. Shepherds, tackles, bumps 2nd and 3rd efforts…not pretty football but that’s what it took to hold Greythorn to a solitary behind for the quarter. There was some great link-up play (Venuto to Sam to Kes), Sam and Ned lead the way with shepherding and tackles. Billy continued his multiple efforts & intercept marking. Tommy G, ever reliable, ensured Greythorn’s only scoring opportunity was touched & then followed up with multiple tackles. Marcus worked hard as always, positioned well and marked strongly. To end the quarter, Xavier made his stamp on the game (what would be his best for the season) with a great defensive mark and kick out from defence. Not pretty, but grit and determination saw the Bullants hold a 17-point lead.
Half time instructions were simple. Run. Tackle. Hunt the Footy.

Q3
And another arm wrestle. Tackle, smother, tackle, chase, tackle, smother…it was scrappy, hard work. 2nd and 3rd efforts were evident everywhere (Billy, Hamish, Venuto, Marcus leading by example). Wato continued to dominate the Ruck, ably supported by Kes who took to the new, last minute role with typical Bullant enthusiasm. Sage remained an inspiration to his team mates, as always, putting his body on the line and bursting through packs…constantly emerging from the chaos with the ball. After an immense, 3 quarters, Hamish hobbled off the ground to be replaced by Malachy…undeterred by a roundhouse kick to the throat minutes’ prior! 15 minutes were slogged out with no score to either side. Bullants up by 17 and appearing the better side.

Q4
Great ruck work by Wato, to Tom to Venuto into the hotspot for a behind in the opening seconds. Wato to Sage to Sam…again a behind. Trapped in our forward 50, Tom reads the play-on as it happens…smothers the kick, roves and hits Ziggy almost in the square. As if in slo-mo, Ziggy lines up and…. hits the post! Opportunities abound for the Bullants as Xavier and Venuto (aka Munch! – stop it Sarah!) continue the pressure and the tackle count. Marcus roves beautifully, snaps and…. hits the post! Tamer continued to use his body in the ruck and Billy racked up the intercept marks…it was all Bullants and should have been a blow-out. Credit to Greythorn who never gave up and had their own great passages of play but the Bullants prevailed because they worked hard and worked to the game plan. Bullants 3.6.24 Greythorn 0.3.3.

Proud Coach as always who enjoyed playing spectator / Dad / Match reporter.

Thanks and well done to the team of Wato, Rob, Browny, Simon, Paul, Chris & Carlo. Massive thanks to our great parent group for doing all the jobs that need to be done so our champions can play the game. Roll on round 7!

Scott.

On Sunday, the Preston Bullants ventured across to Bulleen Park to take on the Bulleen Bullants, last season's premiers.

Will Hanlon and Grady Brooks celebrating their 50 the game milestone with the Bullants, congratulations to both boys.

The Preston boys won the toss and kicked with a slight breeze.  Unfortunately, the boys started off very slowly letting the Bulleen boys kick three goals in the first five minutes. Once our boys settled, they were able to kick the next two goals, to trail at quarter time 19 to 14.



In the second quarter the Preston Bullants dominated play only to keep kicking to the Bulleen Backman only to see the ball get rebounded over and over out of the forward line.  Scores at half time 4.1.25 to 2.5.17 with Bulleen in the lead.

The third quarter was much better for the Preston boys with some reward for their effort kicking two goals in the first ten minutes to take the lead, but a lapse in concentration saw the Bulleen boys kick a late goal to edge in front at three quarter time to lead 31 to 29.

With the game in the balance the boys were keen to finish the game well, but it was not to be as the Bulleen Bullants kicked the final two goals to run out 14 points winners 7.1.43 to 4.5.29

With more scoring shots and more of the ball, the boys could not convert those opportunities.  Better players on the day, Anthony D on the ball with fierce attack at the contest.  Will H, the ability to win on one on one against quality opposition, Tom C with his run and carry on the ball and the wins.  Asher winning one on one on the wing and putting the ball into the attack.

Yours in footy

Our sunshine filled Saturday morning began with a beautiful smoking ceremony in line with the AFL Indigenous Round. Led by Uncle Bill Nicollson he welcomed us on Wurunjeri land and acknowledged both past, present and emerging Wurunjeri people.

First quarter underway, we were against the wind but the girls proved strong enough and maintained the ball in our forward half the majority of the quarter. We were unlucky to get a major on the scoreboard with 10 inside 50s, as Caitlin was outstanding playing our ‘back door’ option off the back of the stoppage and feeding our forwards the ball constantly throughout the quarter. Rose and Gabby were ferocious at attacking the ball up forward and having shots on goal. Our half back of Marianne, Erin and Lauren were tough in the air and on the ground not letting that ball get past.

We had the wind in the second, and boy did we make use of it! With Erin into the ruck, it allowed Olivia to move forward and get our first goal on the board from a great team effort.
The girls were amazing at attacking the ball and keeping it in our forward half again, with 12 inside 50s for the quarter. Victoria on the board next with a classy set shot on the angle from the pocket.
Another run in goal from about 30m out, sees Vic have two majors in the second. Charlotte in to the ruck doesn’t stop Erin from potentially taking out goal of the year running off half back, taking two bounces and finishing off with an elegant drop punt from 35m out. Less than 2 minutes later and she’s done it again, taking us into half time with a 5.2 (32) point lead.

In the third, we held strong keeping Kew scoreless still whilst we were against the wind, but no majors scored. Ayva and Cailtin continuing to be that back door release for us at stoppages, with Freya and Lucy winning those hard ball gets. Libby, Ella and Zara had their quietest game so far for the season, not from lack of effort but lack of opportunity. On multiple occasions Libby sprinted back to keep the ball out of our back 50 and Ella read the ball well and produced a couple big kicks back our way throughout the third.

Back with the wind, and we finished the game in fine form. Lauren, Tahlia and Ginger proving to be such versatile players as they dabbled both off the half back flank and our half forward. Gingers run beginning some of our passage of plays leading in goals scored. Tahlia showing her strength, attacking hard at a contest and coming out with the ball, whilst Lauren reads the ball so well and her strong hands give us security back, and opportunity when forward. Charlotte once again having a solid impact at every contest she’s in, going from strength to strength each week. Lucy adding 3 goals to our tally and Freya proved damaging still when pushed forward, almost adding to the majors list. Avya snags our final goal for the game, bringing our Final score to 9.12 (66) to 0.0 (0). What a great overall team effort from the girls, attacking the ball hard and winning it at the source.

Thanks to George, Simon, Jules and Bek on the bench. Thanks, to Mark for boundary, Mish as Team mum and Suki for organizing the smoking ceremony. And thank you to all other parents for our home game Gameday duties that were filled.

Emma King

In what would have felt like a long week after the result of the last match, the Preston Bullants were eager to make amends, hosting Park Orchards R at Zwar Reserve. The Bullants toughed it out in brave loss by under a kick, against opposition that had beaten us comfortably only three weeks ago.

The boys showed their intent from the first bounce. Phoenix was hard at the ball, and Josh ran down ball carriers to lay his customary, vice-like tackles. Although Park Orchards R were kicking with the wind, the Bullants were wary not to let them kick away. Brody’s spoil in defence and Lachie’s desperate touch on the line was a statement that scoring would not come easy. In fact, it would be the Bullants that would kick the first major score after some great probing plays, Josh’s clean gather and run forward, Cooper’s and Coen’s pressure on the wing to keep the ball moving forward, and ultimately Joel, whose hard attack earned a free kick all contributed to the Bullants’ first goal. Despite some great tackling pressure around the ground, and team-oriented actions like Daniel’s second and third efforts, or Liam’s shepherding, Park Orchards R would go on to kick the next four goals.

The Bullants maintained their pressure and would break Park Orchards R’s run of goals through Joel, but celebrations were short-lived, Park Orchards R with a quick reply mere moments later. Caspian was lively around the ground, and Rufus was uncompromising in defence, spoiling and contesting at every opportunity. Josh continued to tackle with conviction, and was unlucky not to convert his own set shot at goal. Lucas attacked the ball hard up forward, and popped up later in defence to spoil a kick out. Liam read the flight of the ball as well as anyone on the ground, and made sure of each disposal. The great team effort would finally be rewarded as skipper Phoenix reacted quickly to kick the Bullants’ third.

When Park Orchards R kicked the first goal of the third quarter, it may have seemed like the margin would extend further given the wind factor. Not so. There was a determination from the Bullants that was palpable. Lachie continued to be a rock in defence, and Rufus prevented another score with a tap through for a rushed behind. Given an unfamiliar role, Nathan responded well, curbing the influence of one of Park Orchards R’s most influential players from the first half, while winning plenty of the footy himself.  Josh having a bounce and streaming through the middle of the ground was an exciting sight to behold, generating an inside 50 that Jesse worked hard to keep alive, allowing his skipper to kick a goal. Oscar relished a rare chance up forward, his kick to Cooper setting up another goal. When Caspian gathered and kicked the ball forward for Phoenix to chase down and kick a goal, the margin had been cut to only four points. It was a huge quarter from the boys, with the result up for grabs at three-quarter time.

The last quarter produced some hard, contested footy from both teams, neither of which would kick a goal. Liam and Josh continued to run and run hard, Makaio worked tirelessly in the ruck. With some great tackles laid by Brody and Oscar, and Jack’s lead all the way up the wing to win the ball, it was clear the boys really wanted this. Unfortunately, time was the enemy, and Park Orchards R did just enough to protect their lead. A massive effort from the boys, the likes of which will no doubt produce results as the season progresses.

Go BULLANTS!

This week’s game took place at Ferndale Park, Ashburton’s home ground and unfortunately our undermanned Bullants team were not able to turn it on. With a tough road ahead of us this year with key position injuries we tried a few boys out of position to expand their football knowledge and possibly find a bit of that special something. However Ashburton were on fire from the first bounce which was the start of a long looming day. The third quarter was our best with some good running, however we were purely outclassed on the day leading to a substantial loss.

On closing, unfortunately, there was not too much more to mention about the game. We appreciate all volunteers including umpires who have the toughest job of all and although sometimes, it looks like the umpiring world is against you, they are never the cause of the result. Sport is a test of character as much as it is a test of skill and talent. Best way to overcome a big loss is hard work on the training track.

Injury List
Tom R, Xavier S, Xavier G, Yianni, Marcus C, Jordan N, Felix MSB.

Strength in numbers, keep it up! Go Bullants