Our Season 2019 is progressing nicely and I hope that everyone enjoyed a well-earned break over the holidays.  The YJFl has asked for our support to help raise awareness for the impact of the North East Link on our league.  Here is an excerpt from a letter from the CEO of the YJFL, Tim Murray:

Dear Presidents,

I write to you today regarding the current situation with North East Link. As you know, all our facilities at Bulleen Park will be lost forever to allow for the construction of the North East Link road.

Recent discussions with the government haven’t progressed. This means that as of the end of next season:

• We will not have anywhere for our umpires to train before the season starts, including new umpires, of which we have 100+ each year.
• There will be no rep team trials or training/matches before the season.
• No Summer Development Program.
• No 'community hub' that all clubs can attend, for Coach training, Season kick-off’s, League Meetings, Auskick training, etc.

We will be making a post on our Facebook page. Please like and share the  post to raise awareness of this issue.

I am pleased to report that we have received funding from the City of Darebin to install a fence at HP Zwar Reserve and upgrade the kitchen. Thank you to Councillors Julie Williams and Lina Messina for their continued support of our club. The fence will be installed between the changeover of the AFl and cricket seasons.

Our electronic scoreboard has been ordered and will be installed by the end of September this year. Thank you to John Pappas for all his hard work to ensure that we have a scoreboard for next season.

Make sure that you keep an eye out on Team App for details regarding our events for the rest of the season. We have locked in a date for our Round 14 Pizza Night, Bullants Bash, Colts Presentation Night and Presentation/Family Day.

Go Bullants

Suki
President
Preston Bullants JFC

Tackers Red found themselves midway through the St Marys trifecta, enduring the unenviable task of playing on the very muddy Greensborough Oval. It’s even getting a bit stinky out there its been muddy for so long. Anyway, once we’d tied ropes around everyone’s waist to make sure no one was consumed by the mud we got going. Yet again St Marys couldn’t field a team so we played one up. We know this ground is tough. It’s big and you really have to cover space which our guys aren’t so used to. So, St Marys got the jump on us. Our midfield of Ollie, Jayden and Asher were working really hard, but the ball kept getting sent into our backline.

Sammy was once again a bit of a rock down back, with Spencer helping out, but it was tricky. St Marys use the ball well, running into space effectively. Jett was trying his heart out to but come half time he was a bit cooked and had a rest coming on later in the game down forward where he had been such a weapon last week.

At half time, we shifted things a bit, bringing Harry, Louis and Benny P into the middle to tough things out. They did a great job, with a special mention to Benny P who chased and chased, dragging down tackles and winning free kicks for his team. Benny never gives up and his energy is a real asset to the team. Louis was captain for the day and did a good job laying some tough tackles. The forward line weren’t getting a lot of opportunities, but Percy and Zac H were doing they’re best when they did, tackling, harassing and eventually giving Jamie Wilson a chance to kick and excellent snap around the corner for our first.

Coming into the third term it was still tough going with the backline working overtime. Another special mention to Taj who was given a tough job on one of the opposition’s better forwards. I could tell it was frustrating for Taj, but to his credit he fought on, chasing and tackling, the opposition not getting a single easy ball. He came off at the end of the game exhausted and covered in mud. A sight that any coach loves to see and fitting for Taj, who has been one of the teams hardest workers and biggest improvers. Andrew was doing well as the spare down back taking some good marks, saving certain goals and rebounding well.

In the last term we were pretty tired, but Bullants don’t know the meaning of quite…and we fought on. Luca kept chasing for opportunities in the forward line, Mitchy Mitch was handy, nippy and cheeky all at the same time and Joey Wood kept up the excellent tackling that Preston showed all day.

We’ve only got two games left and the guys should be really proud of themselves and their improvement.

This week we return to our spiritual home: Preston City Oval for a clash against the last and perhaps least of the St Mary’s teams…or is that St Marty’s, or Mt Smarties, or McLarteys... I dunno. But I’m looking forward to playing against a different jumper sometime soon that’s for sure. But that will have to wait one more week my prettys.

Get your mouthguards in lads, and let’s finish this season in style. You deserve it.

Go Bullants!!

With the end of the season fast approaching the Bullants were looking to maintain their winning streak that stood at 7. This week’s game saw the Bullants coming up against Macleod, who along with a few other teams sat above the Bullants on the ladder. The previous meeting between the two teams resulted in a hard fought win to the Bullants, but, the game was an even contest, and with that in mind we were sure that we would have a tough game.

The McLeod home ground was smaller than Zwar, which meant that the open space that the run and carry game of the Bullants are famous for was not going to be as prevalent during this game.

 
Q1:    
The game started with a high level of energy with both teams cracking into the contest like it was a final. With Kes in the ruck providing a contest and Sage and Sam getting their hands dirty the Bullants were able to get some ball forward towards the likes of Callum, who continuing his great form provided a great target with some highlights including great marks, and physical contests. With Ned running his wing and using his pace (and right foot!!!) the Bullants were staring to get a look at the goals, with a couple of shots just missing. Eventually, the Bullants were rewarded with a goal after some great play by Willo, who used his pace to pressure the opposition that allowed Tamer to grab the ball and kick truly from about 30m out.

As the quarter wore on, the opposition started to gain some ascendency, however, with the a settled backline featuring Malachy, Tommy G, Harry, Joe, Jake and Hamish playing beautifully they never got a chance to have a clean shot on goal. Malachy and Tommy G were particularly effective at intercepting a number of Macleod forward thrusts, with Hamish providing great run and rebound

Bullants 1.3.9 Macleod 0.2.2


Q2:
Dash was moved into the Ruck and had an immediate effect by giving Patty, Sam and Hamish a chance at getting the taps (it must be noted that Macleod had a number of players who were much taller than the Bullants).  Tom was using his pace off half forward to work up the ground offering a great option, and along with Callum who is looking more and more like a centre half forward kept the ball going forward allowing Ziggy and Wato chances. Both boys provided great targets, with Wato taking some very nice marks and Ziggy playing the stay at home forward.

Patty started to work his pace into the game, with highlights his run and tackling which made sure Macleod never had an easy position when he was around. With the quarter coming to a close Macleod really put the pressure on, and got 2 late goals. At the same time, the Bullants didn’t make it easy and did have some chances of their own with Dom and Jackson rebounding of half back countless times linking with Marcus through the wing who used his run to setup the forwards.

Bullants 1.4.10 Macleod 2.4.16


Q3:
With a belly full of oranges and some wise words from the coaches the boys headed out for the 3rd quarter. Once again it was an arm wrestle with Kes and Wato taking ruck duties (doing a great job against taller opponents) and Sage and Tom in the centre. Billy once again showed his class by reading the play and taking some great marks stopping Macleod’s attacks. Venuto of half forward grabbed some marks and used his nice foot skills to hit up passes, and almost jagged a goal from a pack which hit the post. As the quarter wore on however Macleod started to get on top again, which meant that they eventually got themselves a shot at goal, which went through. The Bullants were putting up a fantastic effort, with shepherds and talking the highlights. Cullum continued his great game and was clunking marks in packs, showing that when he goes for the ball and jumps that he will be hard to beat in a contest. Ned continued his fine form on the wing, being the link player between the backline and the forwards. The forwards were working hard with Woody applying great pressure to keep the ball locked in, however, the Bullants just couldn’t capitalise on a 5 minute period in which they dominated.

Bullants 1.6.12 Macleod 3.5.23


Q4:
The coach’s words during the break were around the fact that these games were the hardest to play out and win but were the most rewarding to be involved in. With last minute instructions the boys headed back out to see if they could overturn an 11-point deficit.

The last quarter started with Dash back in the ruck and Sage and Sam back in the middle. The Bullants tried everything they could but Macleod used their home ground advantage to make sure that they didn’t allow the Bullants to run and carry. Tommy G and Billy once again showed why thewy are so highly valued in the backline making sure that any attacks were repelled. Patty and Hamish continued to run out the game sending the ball forward and with Willo and Tamer still offering targets the Bullants just couldn’t grab a deserved goal.

In the end the game didn’t deserve a loser as both teams played great football in the right sprit. As the final siren sounded the scoreboard showed the Macleod had won by 16 points. Both coaches agreed that it was a great game and that both teams played in the right spirit.

The run of wins has ended, but the spirit shown by the boys was fantastic, and they never once gave up which is a true sign of a great team. With a big thankyou to all the coaching panel and the parents who helped we are looking forward to the remaining games.

Once again thanks to all the parent volunteers who helped on the day.

On Sunday, the Preston Bullants welcomed Parkside to Zwar Park reserve.  It was Asher's 50th game for the club - A great effort Asher!!
The first quarter saw the Bullants come out and play some of their best football for the year, with run and spread the boys kicked 3.2.20 to 0.0.0
 
In the second term Parkside hit back with hard aggressive football but the Bullants were up for the challenge and went in at half time leading 3.2.20 to 1.3.9
 
The third quarter was a real arm wrestle with Parkside attacking for the first half of the quarter, but the Bullants boys defended and stood strong, then in the second half of the quarter the Bullants attacked kicking three quick goals, leading 6.2.38 to 1.5.11
 
In the last, Parkside scored some early goals to edge within a goal but the Bullants responded kicking the next to keep the margin out to 2 goals, and some breathing space before saluting 7.3.45 to 5.8.38
 
In an excellent team effort, it was really pleasing to see David and Jude's pressure in the backline with tackles and smothers.
Sonny's marking and rebounding was pleasing to see also.
Will's contest with the number 8 was a very even match up well done Will !
Jaxyn and Samuel with great marking and kicking were a class above their opponents.

Go Bullants!

After beating Warrandyte last week we were up against a tough opponent in Templestowe. They had already defeated us two months earlier at their home ground and to make things tougher we were playing them there again. A game behind fourth-placed Warrandyte, we needed the win desperately to keep our finals hopes alive. Our girls seem to struggle against this team and this game started in the same manner. Templestowe scored the first goal and I knew straight away we were in for a tough day at the office. Our regulars in Freya, Caitlin, Ayva and Erin all tried hard but we could hardly get any clean possessions in the first quarter. Templestowe’s running players carved us up in the middle and they led 1.2.8 while we did not register anything.

The second quarter was a carbon copy of the first, with the opposition doing as they pleased. With Olivia spending a lot of time on the bench due to rotations we were always going to struggle in close. Without going into too much detail there were some highly irregular activities on and off the field this quarter, the likes of which I had never ever seen in my 25 year football career to date. Ginger, Charlotte and Ella down back did their best to stop the opposition scoring and even though they saved more than they let through, Templestowe led Preston 2.4.16 to 0.1.1.

The third quarter saw Templestowe again score 1.2 for the quarter. Gabby and Lucy tried to get our running game going but today was not our day. Ava, Zara and Tahlia fought off the opposition and linked up with Libby but we were unable to do any damage at our end of the ground. Sis had a couple of opportunities to get us on the board but the ball was not bouncing in our favour. We had our work cut out in the final quarter if we were going to make a dint on the game. Scores at the final change were Templestowe 3.6.24 to Preston 0.2.2.

The final quarter saw us recapture the Bullant spirit which propelled us into last year’s finals campaign. Marianne and Victoria combined to get us a major and we looked alive. We fought hard for the rest of the quarter but could not buy another goal. Templestowe were too good on the day. Our better players were Erin, Ginger, Ella, Lucy and Gabby. Final scores were Templestowe 3.7.25 to Preston 1.4.10.

Thanks to Emma for assistant coach duties and to Jules as runner. Thanks to Mish for taking on the role as Team Manager and Bek the role of Trainer. Thanks to Marc, Jim, Sean, Helen and Pauline also for your regular help.

George Cotsonis

Having played what was effectively a scratch match with Bulleen Templestowe last week for what should have been their Round 11 fixture, it would have been easy to assume The Bullants’ intensity might be lacking given preparation in terms of match readiness may have diminished. In any case, it would have been a hard task to repeat the efforts of their comprehensive 148-point win in Round 10. But that’s exactly what the boys did.

Facing off against Hawthorn Citizens at Zwar Reserve, they boys came out firing. Considering the match was also the 100-game milestones for Phoenix and Josh, the result was probably never really in doubt. Such was the influence of Phoenix and Josh, the opposition team opted to apply heavy tags on both players, but to no avail, with the prolific duo continuing to make an impact on the contest.

Once again, the Bullants produced a win by a significant margin (over 100 points), with Oscar spearheading the attack, bagging five goals, a couple from great contested marks. Oscar’s teammates in the forward line, seemed to own the space, working together with great cohesion to create and lead into space, with Brody and Cooper strong marking targets throughout the match, and Liam winning the ball himself, or protecting the space around him. Jack was unlucky not to kick a few goals himself, having led well all game, and hitting the post with one of his shots.

In fact, a large part of the match was played out in the Bullants’ forward half, thanks not only to great forward pressure, but also the hard contest provided by the Bullants across the length of the ground. Rufus seemed an impenetrable force in the first quarter, and Lachlan and Caspian pushed up to intercept Hawthorn Citizens’ kicks out of defence.

Extremely promising signs, heading into the back end of the season. The team seems to be gelling well, and everyone is playing the role that’s being asked of them. Declan’s attack on the ball, despite carrying a niggling injury, and Jordan’s run and pressure right up until the final moments late in the match, exemplified the commitment and effort these boys put in each and every week.

Another compelling win, and congratulations to Josh and Phoenix on their wonderful 100-game achievements.

Go BULLANTS!