Youngie was of course with the Bullants in 2005 and 2006 and late last year
became the first player to be drafted as a mature age rookie when selected by
The “Old Timer” from last month’s archive added a few more comments on football from the mid 1880’s in a later article, concentrating on a famous victory by the 1884 “newbies”, Williamstown over Geelong, the ultimate premiers . Those comments have been added to “ “, but the inference that players of the time were prone (as perhaps today) to force behinds was somewhat challenged in the 1889 season. Check out “Kicking The Habit”.
“Smoke nights “ were a significant source of income and a routine part of the season for the men - “ladies” were an integral part of the equally important annual concert – and many clubs awarded various prizes of pipe-related products, invariably involving gold or silver embellishment.
Late in the decade, the moderately-priced and thus highly fashionable
“cigarette” was introduced into Australia by the Stars and Stripes Cigarette Company, the
first to import the product from America.
Some hundred plus years later, it is a little difficult to assess
whether the tobacco company was interested in pure commercial promotion or
perhaps an altruistic motive in seeing an improvement to the rather defensive
local game. Either way, the company
introduce a one-off trophy in 1889 for “the Association club scoring the
fewest behinds in proportion to goals".
Whether the Melbourne club
still has the trophy, and if so, whether they know the history of it is
unknown, but they collected it with a "percentage" of .791 from a
total of 118 goals and 149 behinds (actually the ratio of goals to behinds, the
opposite of the original statement).
Williamstown finished
second (77/101 = .762) and Fitzroy third (114/155 = .735), the Roy Boys
shooting themselves in the foot by kicking 1.8 in the last round (where
Williamstown didn't play) to slip from second spot. North Melbourne played several fewer games
than the other clubs and trailed in the award for most of the season, but at
least did things neatly, finishing with 47 goals and 94 behinds for a ratio of
exactly .500.
Next Saturday sees the last practice match for 2007 before the “real” footy. Four wins to date, but from very mixed opposition probably doesn’t prove a great deal but the big plus is that Barry Mitchell has had some precious game-day time with the younger Carlton players and the combined list is becoming closer-knit quarter by quarter.
Our jumper presentation will be held at Rydges-On-Bell on Thursday April 5 from 7:00. $9999 covers a sumptuous BBQ meal (free to Player Sponsors), drinks at bar prices. For those new to our club, we will hope a small exhibition of the memorabilia from earlier days, some dating back to 1900.
A Thursday evening on the eve of Easter isn’t our ideal arrangement, but the reality is that (as always), we only had a single weekend for this important event which acknowledges the effort and sacrifices made by the players (and let’s not forget their parents, and even that had been uncertain with the scheduling of both our practice match and the opening round of the Northern Knights season (for which we provide catering at home matches) open to question due of the drought.
2007 perhaps exemplifies the resurgence of the Northern Bullants in that we have had to “cut” up to 20 players rather than chase around for a few to top up the list – to those who missed out, we offer our thanks and best wishes wherever your football takes you. For those on board, we hope you enjoy the ride!
· Flogging A Dead Horse
Next issue we hope to announce a scheme where player sponsors will become eligible for a special award if your player is nominated as the most valuable player by our Senior or Reserve coach to the value of $200 at each home game. Stay tuned.
Our Contribution to Culture (The Music) (The Colours)
A couple of supporters new to the Bullants have enquired about the words to
our club song (which doesn't say much for either our loudspeaker system or
player's singing voices. The song and a
brief history of the colours that
Not Susan, but the reality around what is very much a working-class footy club is that we will take all the help we can get, so if anyone can assist out by devoting some time as a volunteer, donating some of our day-to-day requirements or perhaps pointing us towards discounts on larger items, we will grab the opportunity with both hands and with undying gratitude! Desperately Seeking …
· an Ice Maker
· match day volunteers,
· medical supplies - especially tape and bandages (costs us a small fortune)
· drinks, peanuts, lollies, chocolates (the old cry at the Saturday afternoon matinee), tea, coffee for the canteen. Or anything else suitable
· pasta or anything easily prepared for players meals post-Friday night training
· match day volunteers,
· a High-Low Physiotherapists table
· an Ultra-Sound machine
· match day volunteers,
· a digital camera for photographs of club functions and for promotional material (loved to have one last Saturday night)
· auction items – our Auction this year is planned for May, a couple of months earlier than normal,
· and (did we forget?), match day volunteers
Especially for our
General Manager
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Garry O’Sullivan |
Marketing Manager
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Quentin Aisbett 0421 502886 northernbullantsmarketing@bigpond.com |
Office Telephone
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9470 2224
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Office Fax
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9470 2059
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Email
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northernbullants@bigpond.com |
PFC Social Club
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9478 0823
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Web or 'Antz Pantz comments, subscriptions or unsubscriptions |
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bullant@mail.com
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