Hi Bullants,

Well done to our Under 9s Red & White, Under 11 Red and Under 14 Girls Teams on a great season, You have all improved greatly this season and should be proud of your performance.

It is Finals Time and the great news is that our Red and White will be represented by multiple teamsters ! It will be great to see our members turn out in support... the kids get a real buzz from it.

Sunday’s games are as follows:
9am Under 12 – Zerbes Reserve, Doncaster
9am Under 11 White – Gillon Oval, Brunswick
10.45am Under 13 – Binnak Park, Watsonia North
12.30pm Under 14 – Victoria Park Lower, Kew
12.30pm Under 15 – Zerbes Reserve, Doncaster
2.45pm Colts – Ivanhoe Park, Ivanhoe

These games will attract large numbers of spectators and League officials, so it represents a great opportunity for us to showcase our club spirit and values.

Our club is built on providing children with an environment that fosters a sense of fairness in a safe and supportive environment. It strives to have all of its members behave as “good sports”.

It's important that we take note of the following :

Support – our teams in a positive and respectful way.

Umpires – umpires are there to enable our children to have a fair and safe experience. They may miss some free kicks or make mistakes (just like coaches and players do), however it is important that we keep it positive and respectful towards the umpires and our opposition. Our coaches are tasked with instilling this into our players on a regular basis. Also remember some of these umpires are no older than our sons and daughters.

Volunteers – recognise and appreciate the value and importance of volunteer coaches and officials. They deserve to be treated respectfully at all times. They give up their time to enable your child to participate in the best sport in the world.

children – remember that children play organized sport for FUN. They are not playing for the entertainment of the spectators nor are they miniature professionals.

As a committee we are proud of the way the Bullants supporters are seen in the league, fair and passionate people who enjoy a great contest. Please continue to respectfully support the boys and girls loud, strong and passionately.

All club officials, players and members are bound by match day by-laws along with the club’s and the YJFL’s Codes of Conduct. Any breaches will not be tolerated.

Carn the Bullants !

Suki
President
Preston Bullants JFC

The Rosebank Cricket Club Under 12s lined up on a sodden Preston City Oval for the last round of the Home and Away season. The first term was an arm wrestle and lacked the typical intensity from the Bullants, perhaps it was the early start. Credit to Camberwell, they came to play and made better use of their opportunity up forward to score the first major of the game.
 
Highlights of the term included: Kes making the most of the ruck, springing up to win many a tap. Tommy G running out of defence saving yet another goal was described by one parent as 'beautiful to watch'. Sam and Clem combining for a hard gang tackle to assert themselves late in the quarter.
 
At quarter time our coaches gave plenty of specific instruction for the boys to follow. Head Coach Scott's usual 'our ball, our ground' revved the boys up.
 
In the second quarter our intensity lifted and it didn't take long before we were on the attack. In his 47th game, Xavier, playing to the conditions, chased down the ball, kicked off the ground to his advantage, scooped up the ball and kicked a classy goal on the run. Next it was Malachy’s opportunity to dominate with strong body work and second efforts to drive the ball forward to Marcus who kicked to Ziggy and shot truly for another major. The final major of the quarter was earned, with an octopus like tackle, rewarded with a free and Kes didn't miss his opportunity to score.
 
 The half time address focused on our improvements and a much better quarter, the individual contributions that embody our style of play. Malachy fantastic bodywork. Shepherds, bumps, running through the opposition players and relentless attack on the footy. Kes lit up the forward line. Isaac Brown running into the right spots. Callum's marking was enormous. Instruction was to go sideways a little more, attack the footy, attack the players. Don't kick off the ground, 9 out of 10 kicks went to the opposition. Pick up the ball and find a teammate to deliver it to. Scott sent the boys onto the field reminding them to "smile and enjoy your footy. Smile as you run off on you opposition, smile as sit on someone’s shoulders to take a mark, smile as you tackle a player to the ground. What's for lunch?" Shark Soup!!
 
The third quarter was a seesaw of contested possession. Highlights included; Harry touched before the line to save a certain goal. Clem mark attempt followed up by a second effort tackle. Andre imposing himself on the game. Sage and Ned were in everything connecting with Callum and Billy to drive the ball forward. Preston took the ascendency with plenty of possession and connected passages of play. Our training and hard running was paying off. A second soccered goal to Xavier who out muscled his opponent closed out the term.
 
Three quarter time snakes and direction: It's the last quarter of the home and away season. Kick to space. Forwards out of the hole and lead into it.
 
The final term saw plenty of Bullants possessions with 5 behinds and 2 goals. Ziggy with a tricky backwards kick for his first major and Clem roving, then snapping truly after Cal marked and sent the ball long into attack. Andre closed out the game with a solid shoulder charge driving the pressure to the end. The Bullants were too hard at the footy, had too many learnt skills and played as a team holding the Sharks scoreless in the final term. Our boys walked off the field with the warm sun on their backs and smiles all around for a job well done. Every player made a solid contribution and our victory was a real team effort.
 
Bring on the Finals!!
 
 
     Preston Bullants              Camberwell Citizens         
     Goals    Behinds    Score    Goals    Behinds    Score
Q1    0    2    2    1    0    6
Q2    3    2    20    1    1    7
Q3    4    2    26    1    2    8
Q4    6    7    43    1    2    8

Thanks to Jim Bubbers for another stirring Match Report.

Bring on finals indeed!

On Sunday, the Preston Bullants welcomed Canterbury Park to Preston City Oval for the last home and away game of the season.  The Bullants needed to win to retain fourth spot and head into the finals full of confidence.  
 
Determined to get off to a good start, in heavy conditions, the boys put together an impressive first term, kicking long to a contest with numbers around the ball.  The Bullants kept Canterbury scoreless, 4.3.27 to 0.0.0 at quarter time.  
 
In the second term, the Bullants held firm into the wind, eventually kicking 2 goals into the breeze to go into half time leading 6.3.39 to 0.0.0.
 
The third and fourth terms turned into a slog with both teams scoring one goal each, to see the Bullants advance to finals for the third straight year.  An excellent effort boys!
 
Jaxsyn and Will were again strong contributors with Rylan, Keelan and Asher playing good games.  
 
Unfortunately, we see Samuel Amad travel abroad for 3 weeks.  Samuel will be greatly missed as he is a great team member who plays his football in true Bullant spirit.  Have a great trip Sammy and we will keep you posted as we enter the finals.  
 
This week we take on Templestowe in the first semi-final.  This game presents the Bullants with a fantastic opportunity to show our great form from the last month’s effort.  
 
Remember boys, work hard and contest every issue and the rewards will come.  
 
Go Bullants!

I thought that instead of a match report this week I would run through each individual player and add some comments about their season. Firstly I should say that in no way do I believe the season was wasted because we are not playing finals. I believe this to be a stepping stone year that will hold us in good stead for the future.

Obviously we had a harder year than we expected but I want everyone involved to know, especially the players, that we are not far off pushing for a premiership. We ended up with 6 wins and 7 losses for the season with a percentage of 127.47, the fourth best in the competition. We played one less game than every other team other than Parkside and Heidelberg who finished in the top two. We finished the season in fifth position on the ladder, a game behind Warrandyte in fourth. We beat second on the ladder Heidelberg, we beat third on the ladder Camberwell, and we beat fourth on the ladder Warrandyte twice. We had a 1 point loss and a string of others under 8 points. We are competing with bigger and older girls every week yet remain competitive and focused. Our structure and fitness is probably the best in the competition. We rarely have girls missing training let alone a game. We are a close unit and love each other’s company. When you read these statistics we are a good football side that just needs to lessen the gap from our best performances and our worst. Trust me it will come.

Victoria: Like having another coach on the field. Vic trains hard and has improved her running capabilities. She is still the best kick in the competition and an inspirational captain.

Freya: Has worked on her kicking this year and is one of the hardest and toughest midfielders in the competition. Like Vic, she is a leader that leads by example. Without her we would struggle to compete at stoppages.

Ella: Has taken her game to the next level. She is so strong in defence and easily saved us 3 to 4 goals a game this season. Always plays with a smile but get in her way and you will know about it.

Olivia ‘Liv’: Often plays on taller and heavier opponents in the ruck but never complains. She gets the job done in a selfless manner and inspires others with her attack at the contest and opposition players.

Erin ‘Ernie’: Has added kicking to her elite running and marking. A joy to coach and watch play the game. Comfortably one of the best all round players in the league. Can change a game within minutes.

Gabby ‘T 2’: Works hard at training and does extra sessions with her sister. The best snap shot in our side and one of the best goal kickers in the entire league. So competitive and tenacious and an absolute pleasure to coach.

Lucy ‘T 1’: Like her twin sister she works very hard on the training track. Often talks to me about how we can improve and never stops trying on the field. Has the ability to kick multiple goals in quick succession and has added midfield run to her already complete game. Hard to believe she and Gabby are among the youngest in the side.

Marianne: Has every skill set in the book, a beautiful left foot kick and superb handballing. Brings other girls into the game with her silky skills. An asset to the backline or forward line.

Sian ‘Sis’: Came back to the club and the team with a couple of games to go. One of the most loved players at the club and so fierce and determined at the contest. Can’t wait to coach her again next year.

Ayva B ‘B1’.: Keeps improving beyond belief. Has to be in the best handful of players in the league and is one of the youngest in the team playing up two age groups. Her ability to win the contested ball is second to none. Have enjoyed every minute watching her play.

Zara: A much improved player that has shown great one-on-one abilities in defence. Reliable and competitive she often combines with Ella to stand up and stop the opposition from scoring.

Tahlia: For a first year player she has all the attributes. A genuine star in the making and can play in any position with her marking and running capabilities.

Lauren ‘Loz Loz’: Really came into her own space in the second half of the year when she was thrust into the ruck during Olivia’s absence. A great overhead mark and hard worker, she is not far from dominating a game and being a real presence.

Ginger: Like Tahlia and Lauren a first year player that has fitted into the group seamlessly. A running machine like Erin, she could be anything in years to come. Polite and eager to learn makes her a coach’s favourite.

Libby: Has added kicking to her game this year. Her speed and ferocity make her an invaluable member of the defensive line. She will spend more time as a mid in the coming seasons.

Ava M.: After breaking her arm earlier on in the season and returning for the second half she has shown massive improvement in game awareness and her general skill level. One of the young brigade she will be knocking the door down next year to play for longer periods.

Charlotte ‘Chaz Dog’: Has the potential to be one of the best players in the league. When she runs and carries the football she creates scoring opportunities for us and is now a reliable kick. A great sense of humour and terrific to have in the side. With consistency will be a weapon in 2020.

Caitlin ‘B 2’: Probably the biggest threat to my job. Has an unbelievably mature football brain that allows me to give her roles that would confuse some of the senior boys in the VAFA. She is one of the hardest workers at the club and her skills are extremely solid under pressure. Cannot believe she is so young.

Thanks to Emma for her assistance all year and I am proud to be able to call her a friend off the field. Same applies to Jules who has been the voice of reason on many occasions. Mish, the tireless team manager that does all the jobs we hate doing but does them without complaining. Always there to help me and keep me out of trouble. Love you Mish. What can you say about Bek other than she exhibits so much passion for us born from love of the girls and the team. Thanks to the regular helpers Jim, Marc, Pauline, Sean, Suki, Helen and everyone else who chips in on game day. Hope to see you all next year.

George Cotsonis

With the last game of the regular season on the weekend, the Preston Bullants put on another strong performance, this time against Whitehorse Colts. With cold, wet conditions, and a veritable bog to contend with in the centre square, the boys were hard at it, extending their run of good form. With finals beckoning, it’s important to reflect on what the boys have been able to achieve this year.

After the completion of the first six rounds, the outlook was somewhat dire. The Bullants were 1-5, sitting second last on the ladder with a paltry percentage in the mid-fifties. At the time, it seemed it would take a monumental effort to make finals from that point, but with a staggering eight wins in-a-row, the boys have not only secured a third straight finals campaign, they’ve finished on top of the ladder to boot.

With Sunday’s game underway, it didn’t take long for things to get messy – Lucas bumped off the ball and sent sliding through mud set the tone early. Ben and Daniel worked hard to lock the ball in the Bullants’ forward half, and despite some repeated entries forward, goals were going to be hard to come by.  Nathan got his hands—and body—dirty, literally, relishing conditions that demanded tight, contested footy.  Liam and Phoenix gathered clean possessions that seemed to defy the disagreeable, wet ball.

Whitehorse Colts were not without their own opportunities, although the final score may not reflect this. The opposition side had more entries forward than their five behinds would indicate, and it was the effort and hard work from the Bullants’ defenders that prevented a few almost-certain goals. Anthony was huge on the last line of defence, preventing Whitehorse Colts from scoring on several occasions. In a match that produced only six goals in total, an undisciplined act ahead of the half-time siren which saw Caspian come off the ground hurt, proved costly for Whitehorse Colts, allowing Cooper to score from the resultant free kick.

There was a bit of poetic synchronicity in the end, the Bullants’ eighth win on the trot had been kicked off earlier in the season with the first win also coming from an encounter with Whitehorse Colts. Likewise, Caspian, back on the ground, showed a glimpse of individual brilliance when he collected an incoming pass in full flight, and ran on to kick one of the Bullants’ three final quarter goals. The coaches had asked for a strong finish, and the boys obliged, breaking the game open and securing the win in the last quarter, whilst keeping a hapless Whitehorse Colts scoreless.

Well done to the boys, in what was a great end to the season. Bring on finals!

Go BULLANTS!

Sunday was something of a quixotic moment for the Bullants Colts. Here we were playing against the side that cruelled our premiership chances last year. Two teams. Two suburbs, both about 10kms from the CBD, but reflecting different versions of the history of Melbourne since European settlement. One telling the immigrant story as well as any part of Melbourne or Australia. The other telling the leafy, affluent, establishment story. The immigrant story won. Hands down.

Despite Sunday being Melbourne weather at its worst the Bullants bathed in the understanding that finals beckoned and they were ready. Through rain and then more rain and then rain literally sheeting across the ground the Bullants played committed, first to the ball footy. From up in the mighty Preston City Oval grandstand, sipping a hot oolong tea from my thermos I really felt for the lads running their guts out on that cold, cold ground. And run they did. Beating Glen Iris, beating the weather and beating the odds (barely 20 players in March, now up to 26 or so) the Colts finished the 2019 home and away season primed for Finals footy.

As a training run the first quarter could not have been a better advertisement for this well-oiled unit. We dominated the play and our key players were getting lots of touches. Including plenty of link kick footy runs. If anything, in this quarter, with the amount of possessions we had we probably should have been a lot further ahead. While our new structures are an impressive development in how to utilise our playing list there is still a small problem with our forward structure. And our goal kicking.

During this quarter the weather started to deteriorate (it would get far worse) and clean, fair weather skills were slowly replaced by grunt, workmanlike efforts. In fact our first goal by Josh, came from grunt work as we forced the ball forward from the backline. Similarly, our next goal through Rory was courtesy of a just get the job done type effort. Our players gave their all. From Terry with a capital T to Zac, Brodie, Billy “everywhere”, Rory, Ben D, Max, Jordan, Anton, Jackson, Sam, Ben T, Al, Josh, Jakeb, Johnny, Bash just bashing through the GI lines, Jack E, Punter, Hamilton, and Lucas, Jordan, Teddy and our rucking machine, Kingy,  it was certainly a team effort. We just weren’t finishing off.

The second quarter and then the rain came down. In bucket loads. Springsteen in his song Hello Sunshine reckons he had a little sweet spot for the rain and skies of grey. But as his song also observes, he’s had enough of that and it is called Hello Sunshine. I’m sure, huddled up as we were off the field and shuddering as they were on the field, we all just wanted to say, hello sunshine, won’t you stay.

But the game’s the thing. Al sprinted to the 50m line and sunk his boot into the water-logged pigskin. Rory moves it to Jackson and him onto Al and we get a break. Play is a congested scramble until we get it out. Johnny snaps true and on this bleak and dreary afternoon his goal makes us just a bit warmer.

Rain was sheeting across the ground and it may be hard to believe but then the rain came down even harder. It’s now basically a soccer match as the Bullants, again, workmanlike, force the ball (for want of a better description) forward. Then Punter decides he’ll try and kick the thing. He centres to Leo. Using a Dennis Lillee run up Leo, from 30 out lines up, kicks low, just above the GI defenders reach for our fourth goal. With conditions now almost Antarctic goals would be scares as rocking horse dung. We had the buffer we needed. While both sides were really battling the rain it must be noted that these inhospitable conditions did not dint the contest and intensity. Still, when the half time siren sounded players made directly and with haste for the shelter and warmth of the change-rooms.  

The second half was just a gut-hard slogfest. We scored early in the quarter, again thanks to our back to basics approach, with Billy Everywhere soccering it to Johnny and Jackson and into the square where Punter made sure of the result. Bash laid a team lifting tackle. Terry continued to force the game being played on our terms. Ben D is as hard as nails. Then GI scored their first and only goal and it was a beauty, through clever, committed and controlled play.

The rain is back and it brought its friends, dark skies and hints of hail. Zac, ignoring the conditions takes a strong mark. Max saves a score in the last line of defence. But the not so friendly rain by now has worn down the spirits of even the most Polyannaish and the game is reduced to a scrap.

Cold and tired players stand, hardly buzzed as the umpire raises the ball to announce the last quarter. They will dutifully play out the remaining 20 minutes but the day is effectively done. Bullants will play in the second semi-final next week and the GI joes will park their footy gear away, maybe forever. The home and away season has been and is almost gone and for about half this side the next few weeks will be their last in junior footy. It has as they say been one hell of a ride.

And as the clock ticks slowly towards 5pm and the final siren the last quarter of the last home away game of the last season for the older Colts players gets under way. Ben T and Sam are immediately in the fray. Kingy’s smother is a beauty. Zac, maybe the only player still taking marks kicks it forward. Lucas good pass. Billy tackles. Anton is excellent. Ben T tackles then takes on three GIs. Jackson boots it straight down the guts. Max offers a smart soccer. GI win the quarter, two points to one. The siren sounds.

After Marty pays tribute to Glen Iris he takes his charges to the opposite side of the ground on the Cramer’s pub wing. He brings them together and they belt out the club song on this field of dreams. Then he lines them up and as their parents in the Grandstand are shaking their heads he encourages the team to run and slide into the muddy midfield. They don’t need much encouragement. It is a fantastic end to the day. Teenagers turning into young men being boys. Onya.