SENIORS
Four final quarter goals from Damon Marcon sparked a Preston Bullants comeback on Saturday, prevailing by 4 points against Yarra Valley at Patterson Oval.
Preston trailed by as much as 26-points in the match, however they mounted too much pressure on the Bushrangers by piling on twelve scoring shots to two in the last term.
The four-point margin marks the third time Preston’s results have been decided by less than a kick in their last four contests.
Momentum swings were a feature in the game, as wasted opportunities in front of goal left Preston trailing throughout the afternoon.
A dominant performance from Nathan ‘Doc’ Parkes kept his side within striking distance though, with the swingman patrolling the air through his intercept-marking prowess.
Sean Calcedo and Nick De Andrade were equally impressive in their respective roles, De Andrade accumulating a self-proclaimed 33 kicks in a ‘Heath Shaw like’ performance off half-back.
Alex Rooke and Michael Fogale both performed well in their senior debuts for the club, the latter doing so just days before his 18th birthday.
Liam Carter was effective when thrown into attack, kicking two majors as a marking threat in the forward 50.
Canham, Yeo and Trend all registered multiple goals for the home side.
The win places Preston third on the ladder after seven rounds behind an undefeated St Johns and West Brunswick.
Preston will face the winless Richmond Central this weekend away at Kevin Bartlett Reserve.
Yarra Valley 11. 6. (72) def. by Preston Bullants 10. 16. (76)
Goal Kickers: D. Marcon 4, L. Carter 2, N. Parkes, L. Holmes, A. Rooke, S. Calcedo
Best Players: S. Towers, L. Carter, N. De Andrade, O. Clark, A. Rooke, M. Fogale
RESERVES
The reserves secured an important 18-point win against fellow finals aspirants Yarra Valley away at Patterson Oval on Saturday.
Eamonn Scott kicked five goals, including two important sealers late to earn the Bullants a three-win, three-loss record.
It was a solid four-quarter effort from the ants, using intent on winning the contested footy to kick away to a 23-point advantage at three-quarter time.
Tristan Cochrane impressed in his first game since injuring his shoulder in the round one loss to West Brunswick.
Captain Brady Parke led by example alongside a stringent defensive unit that included Daniel Wakim, Nicholas Spagnolo and Michael Wilson.
Sugar daddy Humphries and Johnson Barker had a spring in their step up forward, playing their best games for the club to date.
The win puts Preston a game out of the finals places behind Bulleen Templestowe and Yarra Valley.
The Bullants will be hoping to draw on the intel of Daniel Palmer prior to their game against Richmond Central at Kevin Bartlett Reserve this Saturday.
Yarra Valley 7. 6. (48) def. by Preston Bullants 10. 6. (66)
Goal Kickers: E. Scott 5, L. McRedmond 3, T. Cochrane, S. Clarkson
Best Players: B. Parke, N. Spagnolo, M. Wilson, M. Humphries, E. Scott, D. Brooks
UNDER 19’s
The Under 19’s had their four game winning streak ended, going down to Old Haileybury by four goals away at Princes Park.
The contest ended prematurely as an opposition player suffered a serious leg injury in the final quarter.
Giacomo Vernino was named best afield, performing gallantly in the absence of his co-captains BJ Hutchison and Christian Usienov.
Six individual goal-kickers chipped in for Preston’s majors in the match.
The Bullants sit a game clear of Peninsula in fourth position on the ladder after seven rounds.
The side will travel away to Brens Oval this weekend to face UHS-VU for the second time this year.
Preston won the last encounter by three goals at Ruthven Reserve, Jordan Hamilton was named best-on-ground in the match.
Old Haileybury 10. 7. (67) def. Preston Bullants 6. 7. (43)
Goal Kickers: B. Millman, G. Vernino, A. Gennaccaro, M. Efremidis, M. DeMaria, S. Di Palma
Best Players: G. Vernino, T. Beck, B. Millman, C. Fontana, M. Manteit, T. Gerardi
Last Modified on 25/05/2016 10:16