By Kieran Jones
A dominant second half display saw the Northern Bullants defeat Frankston by 47 points at Visy Park on Sunday.
A seven-goal third quarter set-up the win for the Bullants, who had 17 more scoring opportunities than Frankston.
After a scrappy first quarter, with both sides hampered by turnovers, the superior skills of the Bullants won out after half time. Four goals from small forward Wesley Bilney proved a decisive factor in the win, with the Bullants forward line having too many options in the second half.
Frankston took a one-point lead into half time, with Paul Kennedy and James Magner providing some drive through the midfield. However, the Bullants inaccuracy was the only thing keeping Frankston in the game, and dominance in the clearances as well as quick ball movement by the likes of Mitch Robinson and Jarrod McCorkell broke the game open for the home side.
The Bullants had multiple options across half-forward, including Shaune and Mark Austin, who both kicked two goals, while Brad Fisher also provided a target.
For Frankston, young halfback Michael Hibberd provided some run, but the superior fitness of the Bullants saw them kick eleven goals to four after the major break. The ruck combination of Shaun Hampson and Nick Meese gave the Bullants midfielders first use of the ball, as reflected in their dominance of inside 50s. At the other end of the ground, Adam Hartlett provided good rebound from full-back.
It was a disappointing day for the Dolphins, who are yet to register a win this season, but a confident display by the Bullants, who now find themselves sitting in second and playing some exciting football.
Northern Bullants 2.5 4.10 11.14 15.19 (109)
| Frankston 2.4 5.5 8.5 9.8 (62)
GOALS:Northern Bullants: Bilney 4 McCorkell 2 Austin 2 Austin 2 Robinson Morgan Garlett Fisher Boundy
Frankston: Dickson 2 Lourey Murray Dore Proctor Berry Winterton McDonald
BEST:Northern Bullants: Austin Bannister Bilney Anderson Hadley Austin
Frankston: Winterton Kennedy Marigliani Baguley Hibberd Dickson
REPORTED PLAYERS:Northern Bullants: Nil
Frankston: Nil
Last Modified on 04/05/2009 14:24