From the Herald-Sun
Reported by Chris Mitchell
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THE Northern Bullants are into their first grand final in 25 years after a gutsy 21-point preliminary final win against Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval yesterday. The Carlton-aligned Bullants will play 2008 premier North Ballarat in the grand final at Etihad Stadium on Friday night after the Roosters demolished Collingwood in the second preliminary final on Saturday.
The Bullants last played in a grand final in 1984 when, as Preston, they defeated Frankston in the decider.
And after yesterday's game the Bullants will fancy their chances.
With captain Adam Iacobucci watching from the sidelines after being carried off halfway through the third quarter with concussion, Port booted the first three goals of the last quarter to cut a 37-point three-quarter time deficit to just 21 points early in the final term.
Both sides then went blow for blow but the Bullants, who had a week's rest leading into the game, held on through superb work from midfielder Brent Bransgrove (10 possessions; nine tackles) and defenders Steven Browne (17 disposals) and Jordan Bannister (22).