Seniors: PB: 21.14.140 vs Bulleen Templestowe 10.8.68
Eleven separate goal-kickers fuelled the seniors to a 72-point victory in the battle of the Bullants, kicking eight unanswered final quarter goals to cement their place at the top of ladder after two rounds.
Preston were able to capitalise on a fatigued Bulleen Templestowe outfit following a cagey first half, with a number of injuries affecting the away side late in the match.
It was a fairy-tale finish for defensive stalwart Nicholas De Andrade in his 100th game for the club, sneaking forward to kick three goals including the last for the afternoon.
Reflecting on the feat post-game De Andrade said the milestone is something he will look back fondly on.
“It’s a bit surreal in a way,” he said. “Playing 100 senior games for the club I grew up playing for is a massive honour.”
Kent Beaumont featured prominently in his senior debut for Preston, kicking all of his four goals in the final quarter onslaught, while Andre Marcon also impressed in his first senior game with a goal and some trademark displays of toughness.
Roland Buttigieg kicked three to bring his tally to seven for the season while Sean Calcedo added three of his own to impress the onlooking Max Robinson.
Reed Jepson led a stringent defensive unit and Paul Sansonetti presented well all day to find themselves among Preston’s best.
Nicholas De Andrade said despite the great performance the team would now quickly shift its focus to next week.
“Once we got the momentum we were able to quickly pile on the goals,” he said. “We aren’t getting ahead of ourselves so now we start to prepare for Eltham … we don’t take any games lightly.”
The Bullant’s head away to Eltham College next Saturday to take on the Eltham Collegians at 2pm, Preston lost both of their contests against the Turtles in 2015.
Best: De Andrade, Parkes, Beaumont, D. Sansonetti, Ricco, Jepson
Goals: Beaumont 4, Buttigieg 3, De Andrade 3, S. Calcedo 3, Cigagna 2, Carter, Evans, D. Marcon, A. Marcon, Phelan, P. Sansonetti
Reserves: PB 11.6.72 vs Bulleen Templestowe 16.6.102
The reserves were unable to stave off a fast-finishing Bulleen Templestowe in their round two match-up, going down by five goals to slump to 0-2 for the season.
Preston got the early jump on an unsuspecting Bulleen outfit, leading by 19-points at the first change of ends, however the away side rallied back before kicking away in a six goal to two final term.
Conor Makropoulos and Luca Marasco performed valiantly in their first games for Preston while Mark Humphries played well presenting across centre half forward.
Nick Spagnolo was scintillating when thrown in the middle, winning the ball with his pace and power at will to compliment the contested ball work of home-owner Anthony Rondinelli.
Brady Parke set a good example with his work off half-back, playing with exemplary Preston passion in his first game as reserve’s captain.
Lachlan McRedmond put his quality on display with a four-goal effort that brought his tally to ten for the year.
The Bullant’s will be hoping to bounce back when they travel away next Saturday to play the Eltham Collegians commencing at 11:40am.
Best: Higham, Wentworth, Keillor-Reed, Neil, Fleming, Slizankiewicz
Goals: McRedmond 4, Delle-Vergini2, Higham, Humphries, Neil, Parke, Slizankiewicz
U/19’s: PB 7.7.49 vs Ajax 15.7.97
The Under 19’s faded late in their heated contest against AJAX AFC, losing by 48-points after allowing seven unanswered final quarter goals.
The Bullant’s ability to run out the game was impeded late in the match, with injuries to Tom Hickland and Jack Mansour along with Michael Fogale’s hiatus limiting rotations.
Christian Usienov was influential in the midfield, spinning his way out of trouble multiple times and Jack Mansour played exceptionally prior to his injury.
Ryan Evans grounded his direct opponent for the second week running to be the Bullant’s only multiple goal-kicker, taking him to five goals in two games.
The under 19’s play at home next week against UHS-VU starting at 2:00pm, both sides will be vying for their first win of the season.
Best: Ja.Mansour, Fontana, Twite, Mazzone, Useinov, Hamilton
Goals: Evans 2, DeMaria, Hutchinson, Ja.Mansour, Taylor, Useinov
Last Modified on 19/04/2016 13:57