The Northern Bullants now prepare for an intense, cut-throat elimination final against Collingwood, having comfortably accounted for Coburg by 36 points in the final home and away round of the season at ABD Group Stadium at the weekend.
 
Ants Senior Coach David Teague is in no doubt that the Magpies pose an enormous challenge.
 
“As all coaches say, ‘the hard work begins now’,” Teague said this week. “It would have been great to land a top four spot and with it the double chance, but we haven’t and we can’t worry about that going into the Collingwood match.”
 
The Ants turned in a patchwork performance against Coburg. There were moments of bright football, indispersed with flat periods, which is why Teague will this week impress the importance of four-quarter commitment.
 
“I’d like to think that the players understand that we need to get into the habit of playing four quarters, because we just can’t turn it on when we want to,” Teague said.
“We need to be more consistent.”
 
Teague was highly-commendable of Joe Anderson’s vigorous showing off a half-back flank against the Tigers.
 
“Joey Anderson’s past couple of weeks have been outstanding,” Teague said. “He played back, but had three shots on goal for a two-goal return, and he’s taking the game on and with his tackling and his pressure and his physicality.
 
“It’s as good as I’ve seen him play. He’s just let himself go and it’s really good to watch. I know that last year he played with a bit of a niggle, but he’s body’s right this year and it shows in the way he’s moving . . . he’s moving with real confidence.”
 
Though Saturday afternoon’s Second Elimination Final versus Collingwood at TEAC Oval is a televised match, Teague is calling on all Ants supporters to front up in force at the old Port Melbourne ground.
 
Northern Bullants      3.3       8.15     11.18   14.20-104
Coburg Tigers             1.3       2.3       7.6       10.8-68
 
Northern Bullants
Goalkickers: Thomas 3, Anderson, Fisher, Casboult, O’hAilpin 2, Lawless, Yarran, Arrowsmith
Best players: Anderson, McCorkell, Thomas, Cachia, Thornton, Gale