Buln Buln is the first club to win an E&DFL East Division premiership after a hard fought 26 point victory over a gallant Longwarry in front of a very large crowd at Western Park Warragul on Saturday. On a superb day weatherwise it was the Lyrebirds third premiership in the 2000’s – having gone back to back in 2001/2.
Buln Buln set up victory with a six goal to two second quarter to give it a 29 point cushion at half time. In the second half Longwarry pressed hard and bridged the gap to a gettable margin in the third and final quarters before both times the Lyrebirds answered the challenge.
Buln Buln enjoyed the better of an error ridden first quarter which was due to combination of big day nerves and the pressure exerted by both sides. Only three goals were kicked and the Lyrebirds went into the quarter time huddle with a six point lead. Attacking play was often forsaken for cautious build ups by both teams.
Longwarry defender Ben Cuckson stifled many Lyrebird attacks in the opening term and had a good ally in wingman Brody Rundell, who produced many of his trademark darting runs while Buln Buln bigmen Bob McCallum around the ground and Matt Gray up forward posed a big threat for the Crows.
The Lyrebirds upped the tempo in the second quarter, used the ball better and by half time opened up a 29 point advantage. It had a good spread of contributors led by midfielders Ben Virgona, Tyson Bale and Jack Symes and their fine work was capped off with two goals apiece during the term to Sean Proctor and emerging youngster Jack Nuttall. Longwarry half back Ahmet Zijai gave his side good rebound and despite a strong tag 2014 East division Alf Walton medallist Tye Holland started to win plenty of the ball in the second term.
With early goals by league leading goal kicker Semir Zijai and Josh Bourke in the third quarter the Crows reduced the deficit to inside three goals before Buln Buln replied with two goals by Sean Proctor and further majors to Dylan Hall and James Davidson to give it a 28 point buffer at the last change.
In a last ditch bid Longwarry moved Grant McDonald into the ruck in the last quarter and his bustling presence paid dividends and with four unanswered goals, two by Semir Zijai and further majors to Stephen Hawkins and Tye Holland it reduced the margin to 14 points to put it well and truly back in game.
However at the 19 minute mark of the term it was the East Division ‘Most Valuable Player’ Award winner Tyson Bale who came to fore and with a well judged mark in heavy traffic and cool conversion he put the result beyond doubt. Longwarry kept pressing but could not make any significant inroads in the final minutes.
Bale, a fearless competitor and who was still eligible to play U/18 football this season again showed why the wraps on him were so big and won the best on ground medal awarded by the umpires.It goes without saying he will be playing football in a higher standard league next year. Buln Buln assistant coach and ruckman ‘Big’ Bob McCallum regularly picked up possessions all over the ground and Darcy Brown offered strong resistance in defence. Captain Trent Baker, Carlton Helliwell, Ben Virgona and James Davidson were all a driving force and constant menace.
Longwarry did not let up and showed plenty of spirit to get back into the game in both the third and fourth quarters. Nick Walsh provided stout hearted defence and as usual Tye Holland won swag of possessions especially after half time. His younger brother Dylan also sourced plenty of disposals and Ahmet Zijai and Jake Serong offered tremendous drive off the half back line.
Buln Buln’s premiership was a triumph for their policy to lure their home grown players namely Matt Gray, Brent Eastwell, Jimmy Taylor and James Davidson back to the club over summer.
It was a significant day in the history of Buln Buln – as they also won the reserves flag – also against Longwarry. Earlier in the day Neerim Neerim South won the thirds flag while Ellinbank suggested it has a very bright future with victories in both the fourths and the fifths.
Last Modified on 07/09/2014 08:43
