They say that any win over Collingwood is a good win . . . and so it was at TEAC Oval on Saturday, when the Northern Bullants recorded an impressive 51-point victory over the Magpies in the Second Elimination Final.

The victory well-earned now means that the Ants meet Casey in the second-semi, again at the Port Melbourne Oval, on Saturday, with a strong list of footballers who are both fit and in-form from which to select.

Ants Senior Coach David Teague said he could not have asked any more of his upbeat charges, who set up the win with a five-goal to nil opening quarter.

“In a final there’s nothing better than getting off to a good start and playing on your terms,” Teague said.

“After the game we sat down to name a best six for the paper, and in the end Rob Mairoana my assistant coach had 12 names marked . . . and I looked down at them said ‘Yeah mate, you can put any of them in’. It was a great team performance. Everybody played well at some stage.”

Sam Jacobs was supreme in the ruck and contributed 3.6 to the tally, Bret Thornton with 18 marks caught everything bar a cold, and Chris Johnson on a wing was solid, while the midfield of Walker, Hadley and McLean were supreme over the footy.”

Though the Ants are limited to its quota of 12 Carlton footballers at selection this week, Setanta O’hAilpin is available after a week’s layoff with a virus.

Northern Bullants        5.5       7.7       11.13   15.18 (108)
Collingwood                0.2       4.4       4.5       8.9 (57)

Goals: Jacobs 3, Fisher 3, Johnson 2, Hadley,  Morgan,  Browne, Austin, Thornton,
Casboult, Arrowsmith

Best players: Thornton, McCorkell, Johnson, Hadley, Browne, Jacobs