Suki
President
Preston Bullants JFC

After the long weekend, we returned to Zwar Park to take on the might of the Brunswick North Giants.  The Tackers got off to a flier with a fantastic first quarter where all players contributed very well.  The team play was direct, the tackling strong and backline stringent by keeping the Giants to just one goal.  Over the next 3 quarters, the Tackers continued to kick long to their teammates and utilise their skills they have been working on at training - even though Friday night training was rather wet!

Coaches Chris and Shane were both very happy with the effort and skills shown by the lads after another weekend of great fun at the Bullants.

There was a change of start time for the boys this week - 11:30am at Zwar Park and the boys must have enjoyed their sleep in as they turned up ready to play, bringing their best.

The game plan was simple; win the centre clearance and get it forward. The boys were clearly listening because within minutes that was what happened and Sonny kicked what was no doubt his best goal yet - in front of all the parents - right on the boundary line, a right foot snap that had the coaches in awe.

The first quarter saw us leading and that was backed up by another strong second quarter with the usual suspects such as Jack pulling out all stops with the famous Dustin Martin don’t argue as he broke tacklers to win the ball forward for his team.

Ben, one of our newest recruits was having a day out in the park, as he was in what felt like every crucial moment he could be in to get his hands on ball.

The 3rd quarter we started in front and what a highlight, Kade leaping in the air, taking a critical mark and then kicking his first goal for the season under pressure whilst showing nothing but nerves of steel.

The last quarter didn’t quite go our way although we couldn’t be any prouder of the efforts on display by all with the opposition medal awarded to Kade and most improved awarded to Ben.

Steve

The mighty U12’s were back after a week off football. Stand in Coach Steve Watson had the boys fired up to challenge a tall Templestowe Dockers side on their large home ground at Porter Street. On such a large ground, the team with the best legs was likely to run away with the win.

The first quarter was an evenly matched affair. Several players with notable efforts including Kes with great run and drive, Ned and Billy great tackles. Tommy G had a purple patch in defence charging out from the last line of defence punching, marking and tapping the ball to repel the opposition and drive the ball forward. Preston managed two behinds to no score.
 
The quarter time address identified that the Dockers played a very similar brand of football; handballs, quick play on and kicking to a lead. The boys were asked to spread out more and present leads into the middle of the ground. The team were encouraged to protect their teammates with shepherds.
 
Q2 was an arm wrestle that resulted in no score. Jake provided drive out of the middle. Tom Maddison wanted the ball more and imposed himself on the play. Several connected passages of play showed what the team is capable of. Ned to Tom and forward to T who was unlucky not to mark in front of goal. Darby to Ned and in the direction of Daniel Wilson who fought for the ball. Tommy 'Go Go Gadget Arms' G was again on the last line of defence, 3 on 1, read the play beautifully, left his man and ran to the flight of the ball to spoil and prevent a certain score.
 
 The half time address focused on the need to lead to the ball. Spread out; one up in the contest and one for support and the rest in the area ready for the next opportunity. It’s a tight game and the team who can run the hardest will prevail.
 
In the third quarter Preston took the ascendency with plenty of possession and connected passages of play. Our training and hard running was paying off. The Dockers got on the board with a behind but is was Brown to Dash and on to Clem who snapped truly for the first major of the match. Bravery was personified by Patty B who tackled the largest player on the field and earned a free kick. We had an opportunity to score late in the term but the kick was off target resulting in a behind.
 
Three quarter time snakes were in plentiful supply preventing a 'Lolly Gate' incident of old. On this large oval the boys had earned a little sugar. Steve rewarded selfless efforts of plays who had done the right things like Darby who ran hard then took himself to the interchange for a breather. Jacksons multiple efforts, Andrea stopping the run of play, Cal getting himself in the right spot. The final direction was to take the game on and that we needed to win the game above our shoulders.
 
The tide turned several times in the final term. The Dockers created plenty of opportunities but could only manage behinds. At the other end of the ground Kes goaled with a perfectly weighted, flat, mongrel punt that got the intended result.  Cal who presented really well in the second half was finally rewarded with a soccer kick off the ground for our third and final major.
 
In the end the Bullants ground out a hard fought win against a gallant opposition. Our sizeable bench and continued run proved the difference.
Our boys walked off the field with the warm sun on their backs and the broad smiles on their faces, the winter doldrums lifted, if just for an afternoon.

Thanks to Jim Bubbers for the match report and to Steve, Matt and Rob for coaching the team.
As always, thanks to Chris O’Neill Team Manager and all of the parents who chip in on game day to make it happen! We are all about to go for a ride as we rocket up the ladder! Well done boys!

Proud coach as always. Scott.

Round 8 had the under 13 Bullants heading back across to Bulleen Park yet again.  But this time to take on Kew Comets in a game third taking on fifth.

A mild and calm day presented the Bullant boys to display their run and carry football. In the first quarter the boys managed to stay on top continually putting the ball in front of their team mates, which gave them the opportunity to run into space to collect the ball and dispose of it cleanly. Going into quarter time, Preston was in front with a 1.4.10 to 0.1.1 lead.

The second term was a real arm wrestle, with the bigger Kew side started to get on top around the ground and spreading the Bullant boys with quicker movement of the ball. The Bullants still led at the half by 1 point. 1.4=10 to 1.3 = 9

The Bullants started the third quarter with a changed line up, with a couple of the boys injured and feeling the effects of a tight contest. Unfortunately, the Kew boys got on top in this quarter leading at three quarter time. 4.10 = 34 to 1.4 = 10.

The last quarter was much the same with the bigger Kew Boys controlling play and putting the Bullant defence under pressure all quarter running out 35 point winners 5.16 = 46 to 1.5=11
 
Will Hanlon another strong game in the centre, using the ball to advantage and winning loose balls.  Rylan Aminde competing against much bigger bodies in the ruck and backline.  Tom Heffernan in defence taking marks and defending stoutly against the odds.  Jude Giuliano for his attack on the ball and taking tackles and pressure.
 
Go Bullants!

The ground was exactly how the statement describes, ‘a pig in mud’! I’d say the girls grew to love it. Canterbury only had 15 players to start so we matched, leaving two players to start on the bench. During the first they had another 2 players come down so we were able to play 16 v 16.  One of their girls went down in the third so we were again down to 15 v 15 in the last. The umpires decided on a 6-3-6 setup and centre bounces. Interesting call.

Canterbury started fast and had our defence under pressure for the first quarter, converting 2 goals to our nothing. Our Bullants spirit kept us in the contest competing hard, however the Cobras just seemed to be able to run the ball out a bit too easily than we’d have liked. With our forward line not seeing much of the ball early, it didn’t stop Victoria getting in the game, with her booming voice supporting her teammates at the contest halfway across the field.

Ava Meehan’s first game back after a long stint on the sidelines due to injury sees us gain some grunt back in the side to our backline. An interesting call saw Erin be given a yellow card five minutes into the second for an apparent sling tackle, which saw her on the bench until five minutes into the third. (A Yellow card requires a player to sit out for 15 minutes, which can cross between quarters.) Freya was a step above in the first half, as she always is, found fighting on the ground getting the ball out to our outside runners, and even getting a shot on goal, unlucky to convert. A minor added.

At half time we needed to change things up. With Erin out to start the second half, it was Laurens turn to step up into the ruck role, assisting Charlotte and boy did she step up! Lauren was amazing! She gave the grunt like Olivia, the follow-up of Erin and Charlotte and the never give up attitude of Freya and Ayva! We also gave Libby a role to play on their speedy number 20, as Libby has great pace and ferociousness at the ball and player. She was great, lessening her impact on the game after that move. Cobras managed a further 2 goals, however Ayva’s ‘don’t’ argues’ and grunt pushing forward allowed Charlotte to get on the end of a great team goal late in the third, to keep us in the game. The girls were up and about!

To mix things up for the final quarter, and get some spark on the ball, we injected Erin into the middle as an onballer, alongside Freya, Avya and Lauren (ruck). This proved a success as we were able to get that ball going forward and hitting the scoreboard. Our ‘hug’ along the 50m arc was also firing, as Canterbury tried to exit our forward 50, but we allowed it to stay in until we scored a major through Vic. Gabby and Lucy showing some of their twin-ship, having a couple link up plays through the third and fourth showing they’re very dangerous together up forward.

Unfortunately, Canterbury’s quick start proved too much to claw back, as we had a late surge to finish 2.5 (17) to Cobras 4.3 (27). We had our opportunities late, but couldn’t quite finish it off. The girls attack on the ball never lessened, which is great to see and really good to know that we can definitely compete for all 4 quarters.

Thanks to Jules for coaching alongside myself; Bek on first aid duties; Simon as runner; Mark on boundary; Mish as Team manager; Helen for the oranges (although in her absence) and of course all our other wonderful helpers on Gameday!

Emma King

Another week, another home game at Zwar Reserve as the Preston Bullants hosted Banyule in what was also another milestone as Jesse notched up his 50th game. After a week’s break, the boys were hoping to follow up their round 7 win with another strong performance.

Despite a good start from the Bullants early on, it was Banyule who would score the first two goals of the match. The boys applied pressure from the outset, Lachlan contesting on the wing and following up with a tackle in defence moments later. The Bullants generated multiple shots at goal in the first quarter, but only managed to kick successive behinds. It wasn’t until Ben’s attack on the contest spilled the ball loose, that Phoenix was able to gather and pass onto Josh for the Bullants’ first goal. The boys would finish the quarter with less goals than their opponents, but with nine behinds, scores were level.

The second quarter was a tightly contested affair. With scores locked at 15 apiece, neither side was able to capitalise on good passages of play. Harry was a reliable presence in the backline, and Makaio complemented his great ruckwork by being strong in marking contests around the ground. An excellent one-two between a speeding Josh and an in-sync Daniel, combined for the Bullants’ only goal for the quarter. As Banyule also added a solitary major to their tally, goals were proving hard work. With Seb F and Jordan attacking hard around the contest, and Oscar laying a crunching tackle to generate an inside 50, the work rate was definitely there, it just wasn’t reflected in the score, the Bullants leading by two points at the main break.

Having managed only two goals in the first half, the boys’ scoreboard conversion in the third was simply amazing, adding a further six goals, and breaking open the deadlock. Josh would open proceedings with the first goal, and Mahmoud threw his formidable strength into the contest to lock the ball in the forward half. Cooper’s attack close to goal left the ball on the ground for Lucas to gather and instinctively kick behind his shoulder for the Bullants’ second for the quarter, and his own quick hands assisted skipper Phoenix for another. Not satisfied with bursting through packs, Mahmoud would later claim a huge grab while running into the behind post, setting himself up for the Bullants’ fourth. By the time Lucas’ second efforts created an avenue for another goal, the Bullants had kicked five on the trot. Joel and Liam gave the team plenty of run around the ground, Jacob wore his bigger opponent like an oversized glove, and Caspian initiated many rebounds out of defence. Banyule would eventually break the Bullants’ run of goals, only for Cooper to get an immediate answer, to make it six goals, and a commanding 31-point lead at the final change.

With the momentum squarely in the Bullants’ favour, the boys worked hard to protect their lead against a determined Banyule. Jordan and Daniel continued to attack the footy in the last quarter, and Brodie was standing strong in defence. Banyule would end up kicking a consolation goal late in the game, and Cooper would again respond with a goal of his own, the Bullants winning by 32 points for Jesse’s 50th.

Go BULLANTS!

Round 8 resumed after a long weekend off and this week’s game took place at our home ground Zwar Reserve, where a slowly but surely regenerated team U15’s with a small but unusual interchange bench hit the ground running.

Our first quarter was filled with great attack but an overzealous loot at goals proved costly on the scoreboard. The second quarter was a tighter affair with the boys moving the ball freely and unselfishly.

The third quarter proved to be the deal breaker with our boys dominating in most aspects of the game seeing a much more controlled attack on the goals which showed on the scoreboard.

A good display of hard running, teamwork and unselfish play continued on in the fourth quarter with the boys respectfully dismantling all parts of the oppositions game. The game ended with our boys well in front as the boys displayed a strong team ethic of sharing the ball and humility enjoying the spoils that come with hard work.

A quick heads up outside of our normal emphasis on game reporting with an unnamed theme: -

Welcome to Jarred and his family. A great couple of first games, keep up the hard work.

Welcome back Yianni.

A special mention from the coaching staff to Henry on a couple of well deserved, hardworking quick goals in a rare forward cameo.

INJURY LIST
Felix MSB – 4-5 weeks (wrist)
Marcus C – indefinite (knee)
Maxim S – 3-4 weeks (toe)

Strength in numbers, Keep It Up, Go Bullants 2019