Bullants Remain UndefeatedKatelyn Pinal
VFL official siteFrom the opening bounce everyone at the newly named Mantello Holden Oval knew that this was going to be a close one. But in the end it was the Northern Bullants who walked out seven point winners over a resilient Coburg outfit as Katelyn Pinal reports.
It was a hard-hitting game that was going to be decided from the midfield as both defensive ends were not letting anything through in the first quarter. After some great defensive work from the Bullants forward line and some quick feet from Carlton’s Setanta O’hAilpin, Adam Marcon was able to open the goal scoring for the Ants. Once this goal came, the Bullants managed to break through with Brett Thorton and the big Irish man O’hAilpin adding to the tally.
In the latter stages of the quarter the Tigers managed to pick up and force turnovers and were spurred on by a spectacular mark by Jayden Post, his first of three for the day. Defensive pressure from both teams kept scoring opportunities to a minimum with Bullants leading Coburg by just the single goal at the first change.
The second quarter saw much of the same, only this time it was Coburg that broke through with the first goal. Two very different styles of play became more evident as the Bullants utilised the middle corridor brilliantly, where as Coburg opted to kick across field to the wings. Some poor choices and Coburg’s inability to directly hit their targets let the Tigers down, turning over a lot of ball with dropped marks and kicks falling just short . Coburg just could not seem to convert their opportunities to those all important six points and at half time break the Bullants had stretched their lead to 24.
The beginning of the third quarter was all Bullants as we saw some more fancy footwork from O’hAilpin for the first goal. Less than a minute later, some excellent scrapping from Thornton saw the Bullants up and about with yet another goal. Some strong ruck work from Nick Meese saw the Bullants control clearances and another scoring opportunity soon presented itself with Wade Twoney kicking the Bullants third for the quarter. The Tigers just did not seem to have an answer for the fast paced Bullants who dominated the majority of the third term. Signs of a comeback began to surface towards the end from Coburg with their ruck working overtime, but their forward line seemed to be playing from behind.
The Bullants looked to continue their domination in the last quarter, outrunning and out-bodying a sluggish Coburg. Again the excellent defensive work from Bullants and some poor disposal from the Tigers let them down early. A soccer goal from Mitch Farmer sparked some last minute life into the Tigers who looked to make a late comeback. Some quick work from Robert Hicks pull the Tigers back to within 7 points.
In the end the Bullants were just too strong and Coburg’s inability to use their opportunities saw them fall just short. Setanta O’hAilpin was outstanding up forward with four goals for the Bullants, backed up well by Paul Bower and Brock McLean in defence and not many could look past Jayden Post’s numerous spectacular marks throughout the day.
FINAL SCORE:
Coburg Tigers 2.4 5.8 9.10 15.11 (101)
Northern Bullants 3.4 8.6 12.8 16.12 (108)
GOALS:
Coburg Tigers: Carnell 3 Hicks 2 Farmer 2 Lawton 2 Derickx Nason Post Clifton Contin Gourdis
Northern Bullants: O'hAilpin 4 Thornton 4 Marcon 2 O'Keefe 2 Twomey Kerr Saad Thomas
BEST:
Coburg Tigers: Post Dea Browne Clifton Carnell Tuck
Northern Bullants: Iacobucci McLean O'hAilpin Ellard Bower Joseph
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