NORTHERN Bullants find themselves in exactly the same position they were 12 months ago – faced with an Elimination Final, this time against Bendigo Bombers.
Last year the Bullants went on a surge that carried them through to a second consecutive Grand Final appearance where they lost, both times, to North Ballarat.
But, for the Bullants to keep alive any prospect of that happening this season they must turn around a second half season fade out.
Northern Bullants has won just two of its past eight games – both against clubs that didn’t make the finals – and must erase a 100-point loss against Casey Scorpions.
What was particularly worrying about that loss was that they were outscored 24.6 to 8.11 after quarter time and Casey had at least 40 scoring shots.
And, it wasn’t as if Northern Bullants were lacking numbers or, indeed, experience from aligned club Carlton who had 14 players, including Michael Jamieson, Brock McLean, Ryan Houlihan, Shaun Hampson, Setanta O’hAilpin and Ed Curnow.
All except Jamieson figure to be available for the Bullants in the Elimination Final.
Ironically, Bendigo is also mired in a similar trough. The VFL Bombers have won just two of its past eight games – against Collingwood and Geelong.
And, they come off thumping losses against North Ballarat (13 goals) and Coburg Tigers (57-points).
While its AFL numbers were down from its season, Bendigo Bombers still had 13 AFL players against Coburg Tigers, which fielded just six Richmond players and three of those were rookies.
Clearly, Bendigo missed co-captain Ben Duscher and Pierce Liddle against Coburg Tigers, but they still don’t account totally for what was a disappointing performance.
Bendigo and Northern Bullants have only squared off once during the home and away season and that was back in the season opener where the Bombers were shot down by 76-points.
While that match doesn’t really provide any insight into the outcome of the Elimination Final, the Bullants appear to have an edge in depth.
Northern Bullants have a tandem ruck duo of Nick Meese and Carlton’s Shaun Hampson while Bendigo could boast Tom Bellchambers. If that plays out it will be an engrossing contest and go a long way to shaping the result.
The Bullants’ midfield of Jarrod McCorkell, Brock McLean, Ed Curnow coupled with the defensive sweeping role played by captain Adam Iacobucci provides plenty of drive.
It should allow forwards Setanta O’hAilpin and Ash Arrowsmith as well as the experienced Ryan Houlihan and the lively Ahmed Saad with enough opportunities to post a winning score.
Bendigo will rely on last year’s ‘Frosty’ Miller medallist Matthew Little and Tory Dickson, who’ve kicked a combined 96 goals between them, to keep their season alive.
It may not be enough to keep the Bullants at bay.
Last Modified on 02/09/2011 15:01