Bendigo Bombers            2-3,        4-4,        8-8,        9-10 - 64
Northern Bullants           2-3,        6-6,        11-7,      16-13-109

Northern Bullants
Goal Kickers:  S. Wiggins 5, J. Garlett 3, L. Casboult 2, A. Arrowsmith 2, L. Morgan, A. Iacobucci, C. Johnson, J. McCorkell
Best Players: C. Johnson, D. Ellard, S. Wiggins, S. Browne, R. Hadley, S. Jacobs

Bendigo Bombers
Goal Kickers: M. Hurley 4, J. Atkinson 2, P. Scanlon, A. Davey, C. Bock
Best Players: M. Hurley, A. Davey, J. Atkinson, J. Laycock, T. Shinners, T. Slattery

Northern Bullants Senior Coach David Teague couldn’t have asked more of his players at Visy Park last Saturday, in the wake of the home team’s resounding 45-point victory over Bendigo Bombers.

Teague said that his players followed his edict to the letter in the first match for four premiership points, with Chris Johnson, David Ellard and Simon Wiggins featuring amongst the Ants’ better performers.

“The key message was intensity, and for four quarters we brought that,” Teague told carltonfc.com.au.

“Our ball movement could have improved, and it did in the second half, but our pressure was up in the forward line with Jeff Garlett and Rohan Kerr, our midfielders did the job and our defenders were pretty tight on their opponents.”

Wiggins and Garlett contributed to half of the Bullants’ final scoreline of 16.13 (109) to the Bombers’ 9.10 (64), with Simon White earning an honourable mention for standing Michael Hurley.

“Simon’s a little bit older, and his body’s ready to go at AFL level,” Teague said. “Hurley finished with four goals, but two of them weren’t really put down to Simon. He did a top job on a quality opponent, which will be great for his confidence. He matched Hurley physically and Hurley’s quite a physical player.”

Another honourable mention came the way of Garlett.

“Jeff’s kicked 16 goals in the past four weeks, but at the moment with Eddie Betts, Chris Yarran and Mitch Robinson up there playing seniors it’s difficult to play them all,” Teague said. “The pleasing thing is that Jeff’s kept his attitude very positive, and he’s continuing to do what he can do well. His form has been good, his training’s actually picked up and I daresay that when he gets his opportunity he’ll be ready to go.”

The Bullants confronted an experienced opposition that boasted the likes of Jason Cloke and Hayden Skipworth, with Wiggins and Richard Hadley bringing stability to a team now without the old heads Jason Saddington, Cameron Cloke and vice-captain David Boundy.

Teague’s men now take on North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium next Saturday, in the return bout of last year’s Grand Finalists.