2016 - Preliminary Final at Donald
Seniors
On preliminary final day the season of our senior footballers was brought to a close at the hands of Wycheproof-Narraport. The Bulls entered the game with great confidence after a breakthrough finals win two weeks earlier. This confidence was mirrored by supporters on the sidelines when Jack Wilson booted the first two goals of the match and we held a six-point lead at quarter time. The second quarter also started well with “Fridge” Sirett having a great influence in the ruck and young Sam Owa relishing his new role at CHB. Back-to-back goals from Sean Hogan and Wilson saw us gain an 18-point lead at the 17-minute mark of the second term. However the Demons hit back with a late flourish to level the scores by half time.
The third quarter – as it so often is – was the real difference in the game. Wyche. piled on five goals to zip for the term to give them a 31-point lead at the final change. The Bulls put in a gallant effort in the fourth quarter with coach Tom Carland playing another excellent finals game in the middle, but the comeback wasn’t to be. The Demons ran out the game strongly to finish the match 49-point victors. Awards: Lochlan Sirett (Donnellons' Bulk Haulage), Tom Carland (Landmark), Sean Hogan (Bowens' Commercial Hotel), Spencer Aitken (Birchip Hotel), Sam Owa (Mlldura Finance), Daniel Ratcliffe (Birchip Motel).
Thus the preliminary final remains our bogey game, with our seniors now having suffered preliminary final defeat five times since our last grand final berth in 2002. It’s not all doom and gloom however. To think we were wallowing in sixth position on the ladder halfway through the season is incredible given some of the fantastic matches the team played from Round 9 onwards. If our playing group can stick together great things beckon in 2017.
Netball
It was a disappointing preliminary final day for our netballers with our 16&UA and 16&UB teams bowing out of the premiership race. 16&UA were beaten by a stronger Wedderburn side 47-22. Congratulations to team member Khiana Brooks who was awarded runner-up in the N-C.N.A. Best and Fairest award for this grade. The 16&UB game was a heartstopping game against Wycheproof-Narraport. At full time scores were level 8-8 meaning extra time needed to be played. The Demons secured the vital goal with seconds to play to win 11-10. As the old saying goes, so close, yet so far away! Whilst we contemplate what may have been, once again there is much to celebrate in the Bullettes camp. Thank you to the coaches, umpires, administrators, parents, volunteers and especially to the players for your energy and commitment during 2016. It is easy to say we will be back stronger in 2017, but we will not forget the journey and what we have achieved to date.
Hockey
The underage hockey provided the preliminary final highlight for Birchip-Watchem, defeating Boort 4-2. The Magpies entered the game as favourites, having been victorious in the two previous meetings between the two sides this season. The first half was an even contest with the Bulls’ early goal from the stick of Andrew Clark soon equaled by the Magpies. The scores were 1-1 at half time. Andrew again broke the deadlock early in the second half to give the Bulls a 2-1 lead, then not long after his cousin Darcy Reid also goaled to make the score 3-1. Boort made things interesting by pegging the score back to 3-2, but they were unable to find an equalizer and Birchip-Watchem earned their spot in the grand final. Seconds before time elapsed the Bulls were awarded a penalty corner which they took after the final whistle. Darcy put the icing on the cake by scoring from this corner and making the final score 4-2. The Bulls will now play Wedderburn in the grand final.
Last Modified on 23/10/2016 13:56