SENIORS
St. Johns OC 17.8-110 def. Preston Bullants 11.12-78
Goal Kickers: D. Marcon 2, S. Fleming 2, L. Carter 2, T. Evans, J. Higham, M. Cigagna, A. Verga, N. De Andrade
Best Players: A. Marcon, G. Warton, S. Towers, D. Sansonetti, R. Jepson, R. Buttigieg
The Preston Bullants seniors suffered their first loss of 2016 on Saturday, going down to ladder leaders St Johns College by 32 points away at Thomas Carroll Reserve.
The JOCs used a flying to start to capitalise on a lackluster first quarter from Preston, kicking five unanswered goals to start the match.
The two sides were more evenly matched throughout the rest of the contest as the Bullants returned some respectability to the scoreline with nine shots on goal to St John’s five in the final term.
Lachlan Holmes battled hard all afternoon on the wing to extend his good run of form, while Dean Calcedo was also among Preston’s best.
Daniel Sansonetti repelled the Jocs forward entries all match, winning a fair share of one-on-one marking contests in one his better games in red.
Sam Fleming made a good impact in his first senior game of the season, kicking two goals from his key position post.
Damon Marcon and Liam Carter were the only other multiple goal-kickers for Preston with two each respectively.
Spearhead Aaron Thornton lead the way for St Johns in the forward 50, kicking eight goals to place himself six goals clear at the top of the Division 2 goal-kicking table.
The loss leaves Preston second on the ladder after four rounds.
Preston will have a chance to regroup this weekend with a bye, before facing Melbourne High School at Ruthven Reserve in round six.
RESERVES
St. Johns 7.9-51 def. by Preston Bullants 11.7-73
Goal Kickers: E. Scott 5, B. Wilson 2, B. Parke 2, J. Thompson, S. Brown
Best Players: M. Wilson, E. Scott, B. Parke, D. Neilson, K. Neil, S. Slizankiewicz
The Reserves have bounced back from their slow start to 2016, squaring the ledger at two wins and two losses following a 22 point win over St Johns at Thomas Carroll Reserve on Saturday.
Preston continued their trend of fast starts in the contest, utilising the breeze to gain a three-goal advantage in the first quarter.
Three goals against that same wind in the second quarter set-up a buffer for Preston to work with in the second half, which they then used to coast to victory.
Michael Wilson and Nicholas Spagnolo were among the better players for Preston, rebounding well from the defensive fifty on numerous occasions.
Daniel Nielson played well in one of his customary appearances, pairing well with fellow enigma Joel Thompson.
Samuel Slizankiewicz and Shay Keillor Reed were at their contested best when not in the thick of a fracas.
Eamonn Scott kicked five goals for the match to bring his total to nine goals across from two games.
Preston will head into the bye in fifth place before they verse table toppers Melbourne High School in round six.
UNDER 19s
Preston Bullants 16.11-107 def. Therry Penola 9.11-65
Goal Kickers: B. Millman 3, J. Taylor 2, C. Giali - Brosnan 2, M. DeMaria 2, B. Hutchinson 2, S. Di Palma, R. Bailey, T. Gerardi, R. Evans
Best Players: C. Giali - Brosnan, B. Hutchinson, G. Vernino, S. Di Palma, B. Millman, C. Fontana
The Preston Bullants under 19’s worked their way into the top four with a comprehensive 42 point win over Therry Penola at Ruthven Reserve on Saturday.
Following a shaky start, Preston kicked nine goals to Therry’s three in dominant second half display of football.
The Bullants were able to put away the Lions with clinical use of the breeze and adherence to a smart game plan put in effect by coach Zan Usienov.
Brady Millman broke his scoring drought in the win with three majors following his return from injury to lead nine separate goal kickers.
BJ Hutchinson and Giacomo Vernino led the midfield well all afternoon in the absence of co-captain Christian Usienov who earned a senior call-up.
The under 19s will be the only Preston team to play this weekend as they head away to Aquinas College to take on the bottom placed Aquinas at 2pm.
Last Modified on 03/05/2016 17:41
