The Northern Bullants have posted a hard-fought five-point win over Box Hill at Visy Park to solidify their standing in the upper echelons of the VFL ladder.
 
After failing to register a goal in the opening quarter  and trailing by four goals at the main change, the Ants upped the ante to emerge with the four points.
 
Coach Darren Harris said that he couldn’t question his players’ intent, even given the fact that the Hawks grasped the early initiative.
 
“The Hawks kicked the first five goals of the game, but you couldn’t question our effort,” Harris said.
 
“Part of what we’re doing at Carlton and the Bullants is trying to keep the ball in our front half with our pressure. Consequently we’re getting more shots on goal but they’re under pressure, and some of our finishing left a little to be desired.
 
“But once we cleaned up our work at the stoppages and put some real pressure on them, we managed to kick 10 of the last 12 goals.”
 
Harris offered special mention to Pat McCarthy, and commended the efforts of Lachie Henderson and Zach Tuohy.
 
“Lachie was great for his second week in a row. His intensity and running has been really good of late. Zach had 22 possessions, kept his man to four, and has defensively improved.”
 
Now in third position, and a game and percentage from top, the Bullants meet ninth-placed Collingwood at Victoria Park on Saturday.
 
Northern Bullants           0.1          3.6          9.8          13.12 (90)
Box Hill Hawks               3.4          7.6          8.7          12.13 (85)
              
Goal Kickers: Henderson, Collins 3, Twomey 2, Watson, Marcon, Kerr, Houlihan, Kreuzer

Best Players: Henderson, Tuohy, Iacobucci, Cachia, Arrowsmith, Collins