The Preston Bullants seniors have kept their unbeaten start to 2016 intact, overcoming the Eltham Turtles by three points in a contested affair at Eltham College on Saturday.
After trailing for most of the afternoon, Preston rallied late to steal the victory courtesy of two final quarter goals from Damon Marcon, including one that wrestled back the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the match.
Suffering from a depleted bench following a number of match-ending injuries early in the game, the Bullants registered a stirring fight-back after trailing by two goals at the final change of ends.
Former co-captains Jay Phelan and Matthew Holmes bought their games up a gear when the side needed leadership late in the contest to find themselves among Preston’s best.
Lachlan Holmes showed plenty of poise in an otherwise scrappy contest with clean hands and good ball use across the centre of the ground.
Sean Calcedo and Damon Marcon were the only multiple goal-kickers for Preston with seven different players contributing to our nine for the afternoon.
Cameron Brown was the standout for the Turtles alongside Zach Tranter who was the leading goal-kicker in the match with three majors.
The win marks the Bullants first victory over the Turtles from three meetings between the sides, with Eltham defeating Preston in both of their 2015 encounters.
The win sets up a blockbuster round four match-up against the undefeated St Johns College away at Thomas Carroll Reserve in round four.
The JOCs sit first on the Division 2 ladder after two wins and a bye in the opening three rounds of the season.
Eltham Collegians 9.7-61 def. by Preston Bullants 9.10-64
Goal Kickers: S. Calcedo 2, D. Marcon 2, A. Verga, R. Buttigieg, D. Calcedo, L. Carter, K. Beaumont
Best Players: L. Carter, R. Jepson, O. Clark, T. Evans, K. Beaumont, G. Warton
Last Modified on 27/04/2016 08:00