The
Antz Pantz
NAB
Northern Bullants
Football Club
www.northernbullants.com.au
Issue 2007/10,
Round 18
Next Saturday
Crunch Time Big Time for the NAB Northern Bullants this Sunday when we take on the stand-alone Frankston. The equation is simple - lose and kiss 2007 finals action goodbye, win and breathe easy over the bye weekend before heading to Port Melbourne for a match that may well decide the last spot in the eight.
At the moment, the Ants sit in seventh position, two points up on Port Melbourne and four on Bendigo, Werribee and Frankston, but all four of those on our tail have played a match less than the Ants.
As a match against a stand-alone team, the 12-10 rule applies, but in theory only, as only nine Carlton players were available for selection last week, the surprise packet being Lance Whitnall re-joining a couple of old Northern Knights team-mates. Josh Vansittart made a welcome return after missing many weeks and got himself reported for a "front on" bump, the charge quickly withdrawn before reaching the tribunal.
Whether "Red" plays we don't know at this stage - we suspect plans were for him to have another run with the Bullants. but we note our favourite Irishman has joined younger brother Aisake on the Suspect Groin List so there may be an early return to the Blues for the big fella.
Congratulations to Michael Jamieson on being the latest "Ant" to make his senior debut and in fine fashion. With the Blues likely to try a few young players, the hard-luck story has to be Jake Edwards who unfortunately tore ankle ligaments against Werribee and will miss the rest of the season.
Footy Festival
The following week is the bye for the seniors, but there will be a heap of entertainment at Cramer Street with the Bullant Reserves taking on the Coburg Tigers in a curtain-raiser to the Grand Finals of the Victorian Women's Football League.
There will be a strong local flavour in the Grand Finals with the Darebin Falcons based in Miller Street, West Preston, the red-hot favourites after sailing through the home and away season undefeated in 14 matches.
They will play the winner of the Preliminary Final between Melbourne University and St. Kilda to be played as a curtain-raiser to the Hawthorn - Brisbane Lions clash at the M.C.G. this Saturday. The Falcons Reserves are also into the Grand Final after a fairly useful season - 10 straight wins and a handy percentage of, um, 1358% after having 77 points kicked against them for the entire year!
Northern Bullants v Coburg 10.00
VWFL Reserves Grand Final : Darebin Falcons v ???? 12:30
VWFL Senior Grand Final : Darebin Falcons v ???? 2:30
But Wait, There's More ...
We can now confirm that NAB Oval will be hosting the Northern Football League (formerly Diamond Valley) finals for the first time with crowds likely to rival those of "the good old days" when V.F.A. and Sunday footy was the preferred choice of football followers.
Three games each day (First Division A, B and C Grades).
Saturday, September 8 : First Semi Finals
Sunday, September 9 : Second Semi Finals
Sunday, September 16 : Preliminary Finals
Sunday, September 23 : Grand Finals
In a first for the competition, this is the first time the Grand Final has been played on a Sunday and we expect it will be standing room only with probably the biggest crowd at Cramer Street for twenty years, so if you can spare some time to help out with canteen or beer booth duties, we'd love to hear from you so we can maximise the return to the Northern Bullants
Head
to Head v Frankston Prior to This Match
| Played | 46 | |
| Won | 21 | 45.7% |
| Lost | 24 | 52.2% |
| Drawn | 1 | 2.1%
|
| Highest
For | 26.21.(183) | 1983 |
| Lowest
For | 6.4.(40) | 1998 |
| Highest
Against | 26.19.(175) | 1979 |
| Lowest
Against | 6.6.(42) | 1981 |
Next Year ...
Still no news from Carlton with their change of coach probably causing a bit of a rethink about the alignment. The A.F.L.'s review of "Second Tier" football rejected the idea of restoring an A.F.L. Reserves competition in Melbourne and recommended the continuation of full affiliations.One change that may come in for 2008 is the eligibility of TAC Cup players to appear in senior V.F.L. matches. Many "experts" in Melbourne consider the top players in under-18 ranks suffer in comparison with their interstate counterparts in not having the experience of playing against grown men, hence the mooted "change" - "change" perhaps restoring the system in place around 2000-2001 when an under-18 player could play up to four V.F.L. matches.
Next Year? Plans have yet to be finalised and it may "Next Year + 1" but Darebin Council are planning to replace the cricket wicket area either this summer or next (probably dependent on suitable grounds being available for the cricket club).
Those that have seen the condition of the centre (or had to wade through it) in the last two matches will certainly welcome this move. Rainwater catchment tanks will also be installed through State and Federal Government "drought proofing" grants.
Condolensces
The Board, members and supporters of Northern Bullants Football Club extend our deepest sympathy to the Bransgrove family on the sudden death of husband and father, Ross Brangrove.
As well as his connection to the Bullants through son Brent, Ross was also well-known as a member of the Whittlesea F.C., with the Northern Knights and in Northern F.L circles where he umpired for many year, in fact passing away after collapsing at an umpire's training session.
|
| Business Breakfast and Cocktail Party |
Comedy Night at the Comic's Lounge
Don't forget the Northern Bullants Comedy Night at the Comics Lounge, Error Street, North Melbourne following next Sunday's match. Richard Marks, Pommy Johnson, Chris Bennett and more. Tickets only $25, bookings can be made by calling the office on 9470 2224.Past Players and Officials Day
We are expecting a big rollup for our reunion of past players and officials at Sunday's match. Over 200 letters have been sent and hopefully another couple of volunteers will put their hand to help John Meese, Harold Martin and Gary Grainger in formalised an Association.All past players, officials and supporters are most welcome and please pass the word along to anyone who may be interested. We will have a registration table at the gates and we ask everyone to record their contact details as some of our existing records are seven or eight years out-of-date.
|
| Crazy
John’s Supporters Choice Award
|
Each
week a different Bullants supporter will be chosen from the crowd and
be given
a voting card to participate. At the end of the season each
participating
spectator will go into the draw to win a Northern Bullants Best
& Fairest
package consisting of:
- Two
tickets to the Laurie Hill Best & Fairest Evening
- One
night's accommodation at Rydges on Bell Preston, including breakfast
- Presentation
of the
award to the winning player
To be given your chance to vote make sure you are proudly wearing your red and white Bullants colours at this season's matches.
Votes to date have been provided by : Round 17 - Peter Darcy, Round 16 - Brian Membrey, Round 15 - Melinda Kovatsis, Round 14 -Helene Meese, Round 13 - Penny Jamieson (3 votes Jamo!), Round 12 - Brett Thorne Round 11 - Bob Ireland, Round 10 - Joey Falzon , Round 9 - Graeme Smith, Round 8 - Andrew Grey, Round 7 - Ashley Cross,
Round 6 - Charles Macek, Round 5 - Sean Scully, Round 4 - Frank Cleary, Round 2 - Kevin Quilty, Round 1 - Kerrill Burns.
|
| Nando's Member of
the Week
|
Our latest two lucky winners of a Nando's meal voucher are Andrew Hartigan of Clifton Hill and Lucy Greco of Reservoir. Congratulations, your vouchers are in the mail. OPENING AUGUST! A new Nando store in Preston store will be opening up on the corner of High and Bruce Streets, just a good old-fashioned torpedo punt from the half-forward flank at the Mary Street end.
Knights Virtually Seal Finals Spot
The Northern Knights up-and-down season continues with wins over the Western Jets and the Sandringham Dragons interspersed with a loss to the Murray Bushrangers at Shepparton. Injuries are taking a toll, but the Knights currently sit in sixth spot and seem assured of finals action. With fourth through sixth all level on points, the last round with the Knights playing Geelong Falcons (third) at NAB Oval will be critical in determining the finals lineup.
Congraulations to Brent Wallace and Jake Walsh on being added to the Metro Under-16 squad.
Click here for the Knight
Life newsletter
Contact Details
General Manager |
Garry O’Sullivan |
Marketing Manager |
QuentinAisbett 0421502886northernbullantsmarketing@bigpond.com |
Office Telephone |
9470 2224 |
Office Fax |
9470 2059 |
| | northernbullants@bigpond.com |
PFC Social Club |
9478 0823 |
Web or Antz Pantz comments, subscriptions or unsubscriptions | bullant1@mail.com |