Anyone see the bullants game??
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Cats crunched in curtain raiser
Adam White
gfc.com.au
9:37:06 AM Mon 5 April, 2004
A rampaging Northern Bullants blew away the Bendigo Bank Cats in yesterday’s early game at Optus Oval, with the Cats going down by a humbling 85 points.
The Bullants’ eight goal last quarter, while holding the Cats goalless, boosted their final total to 22 – 17 (149) to just 9 – 10 (64).
The Geelong side had a number of new faces, including first round Captain James Byrne, while injuries to a number of senior listed players meant the majority of the VFL list were called in to action for the match.
A nervous start from the young Cats saw the Bullants jump out to a five goal lead, with Luke Maslin and Ricky Mott each goaling twice and Callan Beasy once in the opening 20 minutes.
The closest the Cats got to a major was a running James Allan shot, which Daniel Foster unfortunately fumbled through for a point while attempting a mark at the goal mouth.
Jon McCormick soon extended the lead with a good snap shot from 25 metres, and only well in to time on were the Cats able to register their first, following a free kick to tall forward Aaron Greaves.
When Beasy booted his second on the siren, it was the Bullants by 35 points at the first break.
David Wojcinski capitalised on a kick in error early in the second quarter for a goal, though Beasy soon had a third, courtesy of a downfield free from a late Sam Clark tackle.
Former Tassie Devil Cameron Thurley worked his way in to the match with a few touches around the ground and a goal at the 14 minute mark, while teammate Greaves was able to outpoint Irish debutante Setanta O’hAilpin for his second goal soon after.
Allan soon got reward for his efforts with clever roving goal, and the Cats suddenly were gathering momentum.
A bit of rough stuff saw James Davies and Luke Buckland clash, with the Carlton listed Davies having his number taken following the incident, which left Buckland on the ground for several seconds before being attended to by trainers.
Adam Bentick of the Bullants, Greaves, with his third, and McCormick traded goals, and when Thurley marked and converted right on the half time siren, the Cats had it back to a 20 point margin.
Former Bomber Cory McGrath kicked a sensational goal for the Bullants to open the second half, with Brett Zorzi soon extending the margin with another.
Pre-season draftee Paul Kouloriotis booted two beautiful long goals within minutes to try to keep the Cats in touch, but some lacklustre misses from team mates undid some of the better efforts.
McGrath was able to pounce on a defensive error for his second major of the quarter, and then Maslin capitalised on a red hot holding the ball decision to extend the margin back out to 34 points at the final change.
The final quarter was a procession of goals from the Bullants, with the Cats seemingly running out of energy in the warm autumn conditions.
Anthony Franchina, Mott, Maslin, Beasy, and McCormick all took part in the goal feast, while young team mate Sam Pleming snared three for the quarter.
Even O’hAilpin stormed down from defence to have a shot, though the big Irishman presented more danger to the fans in the Legend Stand pocket than the goals on this occasion.
It was a huge final margin of 85 points at the final bell, and Coach Ron Watt was making no excuses for the heavy defeat.
“They were terrible. Didn’t do what they were asked to do and just had no urgency about it, so they deserved to lose the way they did,” he said.
Watt gave his side some credit for his sides efforts in the second and initial stages of the third quarter, but believes the side was always playing catch up football, which was a drain on their energy levels in the finish.
“They had to work that hard to get themselves back in that position (of being within 18 points midway through the third quarter) and they had nothing left to go with. If they had started the way they should have it might have been a different story,” Watt said.
Some of the leading possession winners for the Cats were Andrew Mackie, who had 21 possessions and seven marks, while Thurley and Koulouriotis had 19 apeice, and a returning Wojcinski had 16 touches and a good four quarter hit out.
Matthew Spencer was also among the Cats best in a key defensive post, with Watt singling him out for particular praise.
“If everyone was to show as much care for the team as (Spencer) does, you would never lose a game,” Watt said.
The Cats travel to Bendigo next week to take on the Bombers, and while the Geelong boys accounted for them just a week ago in a practice game, Watt knows it will be tougher next week.
“They probably had their best five players out (in the practice game), so they will be harder to beat over there (in Bendigo),” Watt said.
Adam White
gfc.com.au
9:37:06 AM Mon 5 April, 2004
A rampaging Northern Bullants blew away the Bendigo Bank Cats in yesterday’s early game at Optus Oval, with the Cats going down by a humbling 85 points.
The Bullants’ eight goal last quarter, while holding the Cats goalless, boosted their final total to 22 – 17 (149) to just 9 – 10 (64).
The Geelong side had a number of new faces, including first round Captain James Byrne, while injuries to a number of senior listed players meant the majority of the VFL list were called in to action for the match.
A nervous start from the young Cats saw the Bullants jump out to a five goal lead, with Luke Maslin and Ricky Mott each goaling twice and Callan Beasy once in the opening 20 minutes.
The closest the Cats got to a major was a running James Allan shot, which Daniel Foster unfortunately fumbled through for a point while attempting a mark at the goal mouth.
Jon McCormick soon extended the lead with a good snap shot from 25 metres, and only well in to time on were the Cats able to register their first, following a free kick to tall forward Aaron Greaves.
When Beasy booted his second on the siren, it was the Bullants by 35 points at the first break.
David Wojcinski capitalised on a kick in error early in the second quarter for a goal, though Beasy soon had a third, courtesy of a downfield free from a late Sam Clark tackle.
Former Tassie Devil Cameron Thurley worked his way in to the match with a few touches around the ground and a goal at the 14 minute mark, while teammate Greaves was able to outpoint Irish debutante Setanta O’hAilpin for his second goal soon after.
Allan soon got reward for his efforts with clever roving goal, and the Cats suddenly were gathering momentum.
A bit of rough stuff saw James Davies and Luke Buckland clash, with the Carlton listed Davies having his number taken following the incident, which left Buckland on the ground for several seconds before being attended to by trainers.
Adam Bentick of the Bullants, Greaves, with his third, and McCormick traded goals, and when Thurley marked and converted right on the half time siren, the Cats had it back to a 20 point margin.
Former Bomber Cory McGrath kicked a sensational goal for the Bullants to open the second half, with Brett Zorzi soon extending the margin with another.
Pre-season draftee Paul Kouloriotis booted two beautiful long goals within minutes to try to keep the Cats in touch, but some lacklustre misses from team mates undid some of the better efforts.
McGrath was able to pounce on a defensive error for his second major of the quarter, and then Maslin capitalised on a red hot holding the ball decision to extend the margin back out to 34 points at the final change.
The final quarter was a procession of goals from the Bullants, with the Cats seemingly running out of energy in the warm autumn conditions.
Anthony Franchina, Mott, Maslin, Beasy, and McCormick all took part in the goal feast, while young team mate Sam Pleming snared three for the quarter.
Even O’hAilpin stormed down from defence to have a shot, though the big Irishman presented more danger to the fans in the Legend Stand pocket than the goals on this occasion.
It was a huge final margin of 85 points at the final bell, and Coach Ron Watt was making no excuses for the heavy defeat.
“They were terrible. Didn’t do what they were asked to do and just had no urgency about it, so they deserved to lose the way they did,” he said.
Watt gave his side some credit for his sides efforts in the second and initial stages of the third quarter, but believes the side was always playing catch up football, which was a drain on their energy levels in the finish.
“They had to work that hard to get themselves back in that position (of being within 18 points midway through the third quarter) and they had nothing left to go with. If they had started the way they should have it might have been a different story,” Watt said.
Some of the leading possession winners for the Cats were Andrew Mackie, who had 21 possessions and seven marks, while Thurley and Koulouriotis had 19 apeice, and a returning Wojcinski had 16 touches and a good four quarter hit out.
Matthew Spencer was also among the Cats best in a key defensive post, with Watt singling him out for particular praise.
“If everyone was to show as much care for the team as (Spencer) does, you would never lose a game,” Watt said.
The Cats travel to Bendigo next week to take on the Bombers, and while the Geelong boys accounted for them just a week ago in a practice game, Watt knows it will be tougher next week.
“They probably had their best five players out (in the practice game), so they will be harder to beat over there (in Bendigo),” Watt said.
VFL Round 1: The Big Sting
7:00:20 PM Sun 4 April, 2004
Mike and Dan
carltonfc.com.au
Season 2004 started off with a huge, successful, skilful and promising bang for the Northern Bullants as they destroyed the Geelong Cats by 85 points in the curtain raiser to Carlton v Geelong on Sunday. The Bullants controlled the midfield and half back line with some super performances from Simpson, Davies and McGrath and strong performances from many others in what the local papers often call ‘a team effort’.
At the selection table, the Bullants squad of 30 as published on Friday was culled through Wiggins, Johnson, Kenna and Prendergast taking their place in the Carlton team, and the omission or injury of Carrazzo, McIntosh, Furlan and Colbert. As Angwin ran laps of Princes Park, the team took the field at Optus Oval with Pleming and Beasy sharing Full Forward, Livingston at Centre Half Back and ‘Carlos’ and Boyd playing deep in defence. Mott took the ruck to start the game, with McGrath and Walker providing two sensational running options on the wings.
The scene was set with Simpson earning two defensive clearances in the first few minutes, and playing a key part in the first goal of the game. Simpson passed to Sky-Walker, who passed to Davies before Bullant Luke Maslin roved off the pack and nailed the major. Happily for us, Davies and McCormick teamed up in the centre before a Hopper pass to Mott 30 metres out was converted. The pain of 2003 – at both Carlton and the ‘Ants - started to subside as Beasy, Mott and Davies all kicked goals within 5 minutes to see the Bullants up by 28 points. But wait – there’s more – 2 more goals in the last minutes, to McCormick and Beasy had us up by 35 points at the first break! There was no wind to speak of, no secret manoeuvres and no umpire favouritism (this was clearly with the Cats who kicked 5 of their 9 goals from frees during the day); just very hard running from half back led by Simpson, a great performance from Mott in the ruck / forward for 2 goals, and creative play from Scanlon, Walker, Davies and McGrath. In defence, Carlos fought hard but gave away the only Cat goal for the quarter, while Boyd – a dead ringer for Mark Porter but a bit more agile – competed hard in the air and on the ground.
The inevitable Geelong revival took place with 4 of the first 5 goals in the second quarter, with Beasy successfully converting some sensational non-stop running play from Davies, McCormick, Bentick, Franchina and Captain Brett Zorzi for our first of the quarter. Barry Mitchell made some changes, and threw Bentick and Zorzi on the ball, and brought new Bullants Williams and Jacobs on for their first run of the season. Bentick, one of those odd players who seems to find his way through packs without moving too far or too fast, became a pivotal player with a large number of centre clearances, and our next goal from 60 metres out on the run. Not normally a big kick, Bentick can thank a beautiful top-spinning action for his kick that seemed to roll for the last 20 metres. Yet another Cat goal from a free followed – which we wrote in our notes as ‘Nonsense’ as the only description offered - before Optus Oval fell into mayhem after Justin Davies was felled unfairly behind the play. After the dust settled, McCormick kicked our last of the quarter with a nice loopy snap from 40 metres out. The Cats were well & truly back in it though; a 6 goal quarter has reduced the margin to 20 points.
The game flattened at the start of the third quarter, with too many scrums, some mis-kicks from Walker et al and seemingly a drop in intensity. Mott, Beasy and Scanlon seemed to fall out of the game, and Walker was rested for a while, but for the ‘Ants, McGrath made the quarter his own. A dandy over the shoulder snap from McGrath was the first goal of the quarter, before we saw him take the kick-ins after a Cat behind not 30 seconds later. After Zorzi kicked another, the Cats attempted another revival with 2 quick goals to reduce the margin to 21 points. That man McGrath kicked another from 50 metres out after some grand harrassment by Maslin brought about a turnover at CHF, before Maslin himself earned a goal from a free. 34 points up at three quarter time appeared a comfy margin, but the ‘Ants weren’t coming off a successful year and there were so many first gamers in the team that we didn’t know what to expect. Of these first gamers, David James has to get a mention after competing – and winning - at half back for the whole game, but especially so in the third quarter.
So what was going to happen? Try 8 unanswered goals in a last quarter massacre! Franchina kicked the first, surely his longest goal ever with a 60 metre rolling punt, and Maslin kicked the second after Mott punched hard from a bounce, to Pleming who handballed to Luke running into goal. Mott himself took a strong mark and converted to finalise some great play from Bowyer, Davies and Simpson at half back and through the middle. Pleming completed a nice little cameo in the last quarter with 3 goals from marks, and Beasy and McCormick also chimed in to join the party. The Bullants had turned a solid effort into a fantastic result, and kicked the last 10 goals of the game to bury the Cats and make a mockery of two very close pre-season games between the 2 clubs.
It’s quite hard to limit the best players after such a game, and we’re sure we’ve done a disservice to some who played well on Sunday. Clearly our best was Kade Simpson, who was simpson-ly sensational from half back and through the lines. Not only was he working hard as a receiver, but his ability to out-mark and out-run in close must have Pagan plotting his return to the seniors. McGrath and Davies were key on-ballers through the day, both seen forward and back and dazzling the Cats with evasive skills. Mott was the best big man on the field, rucking all day bar 10 minutes in the third quarter, and kicking 3 goals. Luke Maslin gets a nod for his creativity and running at half forward, whilst Bentick gets listed as this guy can seriously play. Honourable mentions should go to Scanlon for a great first half, James for some big runs off half back, Walker, Zorzi and McCormick.
Interestingly, so many of our scoring shots throughout the day seemed to come from a ‘hot spot’ – say 25-40 metres out in front of goal at a minimal angle. This compared most favourably with Geelong, who seemed to make so many shots from out wide as their style of chip/possession play took them out on the wings (and into the hands of Walker and McGrath).
The Northern Bullants next game is against North Ballarat in a ‘Battle of the North’ next Saturday. Unfortunately the game is in North Ballarat, so all you Carlton fans in Ballarat get along to the game and tape the Kangaroos v Carlton game on the day.
SCORE:
Bullants 7.4.6 10.9.69 14.13.97 22.17.149
Pussycats 1.5.11 7.7.49 9.9.63 9.10.64
Goals: Beasy 4, Maslin, Mott, McCormick, McGrath, Pleming 3, Davies, Bentick, Zorzi
Coach’s Best Players: Davies, McGrath, McCormick, Simpson, Zorzi, Franchina
Our Best Players: Simpson, Davies, McGrath, Mott, Maslin, Bentick
Player of the Week: Carrazzo – didn’t end up playing!
Luck of the Irish: Setanta played Full Back for the whole game, earning 7 kicks and 3 handballs. Setanta took a nice mark and had a sensational run down the wing. 7/10.
7:00:20 PM Sun 4 April, 2004
Mike and Dan
carltonfc.com.au
Season 2004 started off with a huge, successful, skilful and promising bang for the Northern Bullants as they destroyed the Geelong Cats by 85 points in the curtain raiser to Carlton v Geelong on Sunday. The Bullants controlled the midfield and half back line with some super performances from Simpson, Davies and McGrath and strong performances from many others in what the local papers often call ‘a team effort’.
At the selection table, the Bullants squad of 30 as published on Friday was culled through Wiggins, Johnson, Kenna and Prendergast taking their place in the Carlton team, and the omission or injury of Carrazzo, McIntosh, Furlan and Colbert. As Angwin ran laps of Princes Park, the team took the field at Optus Oval with Pleming and Beasy sharing Full Forward, Livingston at Centre Half Back and ‘Carlos’ and Boyd playing deep in defence. Mott took the ruck to start the game, with McGrath and Walker providing two sensational running options on the wings.
The scene was set with Simpson earning two defensive clearances in the first few minutes, and playing a key part in the first goal of the game. Simpson passed to Sky-Walker, who passed to Davies before Bullant Luke Maslin roved off the pack and nailed the major. Happily for us, Davies and McCormick teamed up in the centre before a Hopper pass to Mott 30 metres out was converted. The pain of 2003 – at both Carlton and the ‘Ants - started to subside as Beasy, Mott and Davies all kicked goals within 5 minutes to see the Bullants up by 28 points. But wait – there’s more – 2 more goals in the last minutes, to McCormick and Beasy had us up by 35 points at the first break! There was no wind to speak of, no secret manoeuvres and no umpire favouritism (this was clearly with the Cats who kicked 5 of their 9 goals from frees during the day); just very hard running from half back led by Simpson, a great performance from Mott in the ruck / forward for 2 goals, and creative play from Scanlon, Walker, Davies and McGrath. In defence, Carlos fought hard but gave away the only Cat goal for the quarter, while Boyd – a dead ringer for Mark Porter but a bit more agile – competed hard in the air and on the ground.
The inevitable Geelong revival took place with 4 of the first 5 goals in the second quarter, with Beasy successfully converting some sensational non-stop running play from Davies, McCormick, Bentick, Franchina and Captain Brett Zorzi for our first of the quarter. Barry Mitchell made some changes, and threw Bentick and Zorzi on the ball, and brought new Bullants Williams and Jacobs on for their first run of the season. Bentick, one of those odd players who seems to find his way through packs without moving too far or too fast, became a pivotal player with a large number of centre clearances, and our next goal from 60 metres out on the run. Not normally a big kick, Bentick can thank a beautiful top-spinning action for his kick that seemed to roll for the last 20 metres. Yet another Cat goal from a free followed – which we wrote in our notes as ‘Nonsense’ as the only description offered - before Optus Oval fell into mayhem after Justin Davies was felled unfairly behind the play. After the dust settled, McCormick kicked our last of the quarter with a nice loopy snap from 40 metres out. The Cats were well & truly back in it though; a 6 goal quarter has reduced the margin to 20 points.
The game flattened at the start of the third quarter, with too many scrums, some mis-kicks from Walker et al and seemingly a drop in intensity. Mott, Beasy and Scanlon seemed to fall out of the game, and Walker was rested for a while, but for the ‘Ants, McGrath made the quarter his own. A dandy over the shoulder snap from McGrath was the first goal of the quarter, before we saw him take the kick-ins after a Cat behind not 30 seconds later. After Zorzi kicked another, the Cats attempted another revival with 2 quick goals to reduce the margin to 21 points. That man McGrath kicked another from 50 metres out after some grand harrassment by Maslin brought about a turnover at CHF, before Maslin himself earned a goal from a free. 34 points up at three quarter time appeared a comfy margin, but the ‘Ants weren’t coming off a successful year and there were so many first gamers in the team that we didn’t know what to expect. Of these first gamers, David James has to get a mention after competing – and winning - at half back for the whole game, but especially so in the third quarter.
So what was going to happen? Try 8 unanswered goals in a last quarter massacre! Franchina kicked the first, surely his longest goal ever with a 60 metre rolling punt, and Maslin kicked the second after Mott punched hard from a bounce, to Pleming who handballed to Luke running into goal. Mott himself took a strong mark and converted to finalise some great play from Bowyer, Davies and Simpson at half back and through the middle. Pleming completed a nice little cameo in the last quarter with 3 goals from marks, and Beasy and McCormick also chimed in to join the party. The Bullants had turned a solid effort into a fantastic result, and kicked the last 10 goals of the game to bury the Cats and make a mockery of two very close pre-season games between the 2 clubs.
It’s quite hard to limit the best players after such a game, and we’re sure we’ve done a disservice to some who played well on Sunday. Clearly our best was Kade Simpson, who was simpson-ly sensational from half back and through the lines. Not only was he working hard as a receiver, but his ability to out-mark and out-run in close must have Pagan plotting his return to the seniors. McGrath and Davies were key on-ballers through the day, both seen forward and back and dazzling the Cats with evasive skills. Mott was the best big man on the field, rucking all day bar 10 minutes in the third quarter, and kicking 3 goals. Luke Maslin gets a nod for his creativity and running at half forward, whilst Bentick gets listed as this guy can seriously play. Honourable mentions should go to Scanlon for a great first half, James for some big runs off half back, Walker, Zorzi and McCormick.
Interestingly, so many of our scoring shots throughout the day seemed to come from a ‘hot spot’ – say 25-40 metres out in front of goal at a minimal angle. This compared most favourably with Geelong, who seemed to make so many shots from out wide as their style of chip/possession play took them out on the wings (and into the hands of Walker and McGrath).
The Northern Bullants next game is against North Ballarat in a ‘Battle of the North’ next Saturday. Unfortunately the game is in North Ballarat, so all you Carlton fans in Ballarat get along to the game and tape the Kangaroos v Carlton game on the day.
SCORE:
Bullants 7.4.6 10.9.69 14.13.97 22.17.149
Pussycats 1.5.11 7.7.49 9.9.63 9.10.64
Goals: Beasy 4, Maslin, Mott, McCormick, McGrath, Pleming 3, Davies, Bentick, Zorzi
Coach’s Best Players: Davies, McGrath, McCormick, Simpson, Zorzi, Franchina
Our Best Players: Simpson, Davies, McGrath, Mott, Maslin, Bentick
Player of the Week: Carrazzo – didn’t end up playing!
Luck of the Irish: Setanta played Full Back for the whole game, earning 7 kicks and 3 handballs. Setanta took a nice mark and had a sensational run down the wing. 7/10.
