Bullants break their 2023 duck as Gryphons remain unbeaten

Ben Black

The game of the year for the Preston Bullants. They are on the winners list for 2023, credit goes to George Costonis for sticking it out. 

What a game, a game that saw an even amount of twists and turns with both teams toughing it out at the W.R Ruthven Reserve. Therry Penola threw the first punch kicking five goals to three in the opening term. 

Nick Mclntosh, Adrian Allison putting the Bullants to the sword as they were shown to be dominant early. But then the Bullants did reply, showing why they were ready to pounce when they got their opportunity, kicking three crucial goals to take a key ten point lead into halftime with Connor Howard producing some fireworks with some handy goals. 

The Lions did not give up, boasting a three point lead at three quarter time which the final quarter set it up for a grand finale which it did, the Bullants finishing on top with a crucial win, winning by seventeen points. 

Connor Howard kicked three goals as part of the match winning performance and Hugo Byron has had a strong couple of weeks. After nine straight losses to open season 2023, they’re now on the board and off the bottom of the table. 

They’ll be looking to make it two in a row when they face off against Old Peninsula. Therry Penola are now part of the middle group of sides at 5-5, taking on West Brunswick this weekend. 

Kew FC took on Glen Eira at Victoria Park, an all-important top four match to keep the Bears in the hunt for a top three spot on the ladder. 

The Gryphons started the game the way they’ve started most games this year, a good start and opened up a gap from opposition, bursting out to a four goal lead through Chillcott and Ewirn-Ross. 

The Bears were facing an uphill battle not capitalising on key moments which did not help the cause, kicking two goals eight behinds that put them on the backfoot all of the game. 

Kew were unable to whittle back any of the lead with continued inaccuracy in front of goal.

Glen Eira came away with yet another win by forty four points on the board making it ten straight, whilst its back to the drawing board for the Bears as they look to try get a win next week. 

Prahran FC are back on the winners list with a convincing win over West Brunswick. 

It really was a one sided affair, with the Two Blues bursting of the blocks early with a commanding start by booting seven goals in the opening term. Rory Brodie, once again influential as ever, with four goals and really well aided by Alex Maxwell who booted three. 

The Magpies couldn’t regain momentum, and ascendancy therefore struggling to compete for the majority of the game, Declan Dickson was the main highlight for the Magpies producing one of his best games for the season. 

After back to back losses, Prahran is shaping up nicely to get them rising up the ladder ready for finals at the back end of the season. This week the face Ivanhoe AFC, a win against the last placed Hoers will see them continue to nip at the heels of Kew in third.

The Magpies head back home to face Therry Penola at Ransford Oval. Earlier this year it was the Lions who took the honours by seven points in an all-time classic. 

Oakleigh travelled down the highway to take on Old Peninsula. 

The Krushers, with the aide of the breeze started positively without completely putting the Pirates away, kicking waywood at two goals six points, at quarter time. 

Thomas Gillard had one of his best games for the Krushers with a best on ground performance. Aaron Cloke dominated as full forward, bagging four goals. 

The Pirates were not able to stay in the game with the Krushers proving why they will most likely slot into 2nd on the ladder after they put the afterburners on and motored away with a comfortable win. They’ve now won three games in a row and are the likely challenger to the Gryphons in September. 

After winning three games in a row, the Pirates momentum was cut-short on the weekend, they’ll be keen to make amends this Saturday, facing off against Preston. 

UHS-VU absolutely showed no mercy against Ivanhoe, as they put on a high performance display to complete a dominating victory. 

UHS started positively but wasn’t until after quarter time where they turned the screws on the Hoers. The Vultures piled on an onslaught of goals. Harry Kennedy and James Gilfillan showed why they are one of their better players, being able to hit up their key forwards and be able to dominate in the middle. 

Harrison Bourke and Michael Doyle were the best players for Ivanhoe but it wasn’t enough to secure the win after their slow start. 

The margin could have been significantly greater had it not been for inaccuracy in front of goal. Regardless, a crucial four points for UHS-VU and still in contention for September action.