The Bullants went down by a mere 2 goals in an old-fashioned Mud-Wrestle on the weekend, and I’m not talking about my Bucks Night all those years ago.  Appropriately timed for the AFL’s Heritage Round, the VFL’s own Northern Suburb Clash of the Northern Bullants v Coburg was a hard-fought game in the mud of NAB Oval in Preston.

Although there have been a number of young Blues promoted recently, there were still some Blue draftees at the Bullants that held my interest for the weekend.  My particular interest was in the returning Ryan Jackson, new boys Clint Benjamin, Mark Austin, Rookies Sam Jacobs and Michael Jamison, and Jake Edwards who seems to have fallen off the radar since his foot injury earlier in the year.  Of course there are a few good young players at the ‘Ants too, none less than young Jake Williams, ex-Pie Adam Iacobucci and Josh Houlihan, who despite the lineage looks more like Stevo’s younger brother than Houla’s.  But anyway, I digress – the game was hard fought all day…

The Coburg Tigers opened the scoring but it was demoted Blue ruckman Cain Ackland who NABbed the first major.  Early on Crow was at centre half forward but after 10 minutes the switch was made, with Young Mark Austin moving up the ground from defence.  It paid immediate dividends with a strong grab and goal to Austin, who looks a likely size and a smooth mover at that.  Glenelg has been good to the Blues so I don’t see why it should stop now.  Coburg replied, but only because of a handling error from the ‘Ants’, before Josh Houlihan goaled with his 10th possession.   The next Bullants goal came from some hard running from Benjamin from half-back, which found its way to Bannister (Jordan) 20 metres out who snapped truly.  Austin scored his second minutes later and the Bullants looked good at quarter time.

It was interesting to note that most of the key defensive spots were taken by young Blues, with the exception of Crow, with Jamison at Full Back, the missing Edwards and Benjamin on the half back flanks around Crow and Flinty also back there.

Our only goal of the second quarter was Goal of the Year (as distinct from the Goal of the Year to Collingwood’s Dale Thomas that doesn’t quality because it wasn’t a Goal!).  Lukey Blackwell baulked twice 40 metres out from goal, ran sideways out of a pack and pocketed the major.  Not sure what else this guy has to do to get some serious game time at Carlton but in Heritage Round, the big Carlton names continued to impress with Blackwell in everything and young Williams more than useful.

The second half was a struggle for the ‘Ants, with only 2 goals whilst the Tigers kicked 6.  Kingley’s opening goal in the second half was again due to a defensive error, but the Tigers would keep kicking them.  Some promising build-ups from half-back – mainly through Jamison who was everywhere and is a great kick – failed with the exception of Austin’s third, again from a strong mark.  Imagine how good he’ll be on the superior grounds of the AFL?

The last quarter was a true wrestle as the ‘Ants had possession, and lots of time in the Forward 50, but could not buy a goal other than one from Bullant Boundy 14 minutes in to take us within a kick.  In the dying minutes, Coburg found the missing nail and the game was over with the ‘Ants 2 goals in arrears.

Conditions like Saturday suit some players more than others, and it was Blackwell’s day in the mire.  He was joined by Bullants Iacobucci and Houlihan as prime movers for the day.  Some of the bigger blokes, McLaren, Ackland, and Jacobs, fought hard but it would not be their day.  Austin, Jamison and Bullant Crow would all impress despite the mud, and the Bannister cousins were also useful.

Northern Bullants 5.3 6.5 7.9 8.14 (62)
Coburg Tigers 3.3 4.8 8.11 10.14 (74)

GOALS:
Northern Bullants: Austin 3 Blackwell Ackland Boundy Houlihan Jo.Bannister
Coburg Tigers: Schulz 3 Kingsley 2 Farrelly Shelton Gazzo Hartigan Connors

BEST:
Northern Bullants: Iacobucci Blackwell Austin The Bannisters Houlihan
Coburg Tigers: Neville Hartigan Farrelly Moore Connors Silvester

Barry’s Best: Blackwell, Jamison, Iacobucci, Austin, J-Ho, Crow

Thumbnail Image thanks to Getty Images