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Nine and a half wins in a row to the Bullants after another solid home performance against a determined Nth Ballarat.
Nth Ballarat rode their luck early after winning the toss and kicking with a four-five goal breeze. Heavy rain during the second term lessoned the wind advantage but the Bullants were still able to take a lead into the main break.
But the second quarter will be remembered by most for one of the worst umpiring decisions ever seen at this level of football. The Bullants recieved a 100 metre penalty after a it had appeared David Clarke had played on after a mark, the umpire thought not and penalized the roosters player for stepping over the mark and disputing the decision. But their was still more to come as after Clarke scored the goal he was bumped to the ground by Nathan Saunders, to the amazement of some in the ground the umpire decided to give Clarke another shot at goal. Given the conditions the 100 metre penalty was almost priceless, which made the decision even worse.
The Bullants put themselves back into the game late in the third term and went into the main change only three points down and with the wind gain a factor they looked the winners. A seven goal to two final quarter all but secured the Bullants a top four position and good chance at winning the clubs first premiership since 1984.
Trent Sporn, Adam Bentick, Digby Morrell, Ross Young were amongst the Bullants best. Rohan Williams had a very good second half after coming off the bench.
Top effort by the Bullants in the reserves. Taking a 15 point lead into the last term most would have thought that the second placed roosters would win. But the BUllants outran and denied the roosters the ball to keep their finals chances somewhat alive.
A sidelight to the result was Stephen Jurica kicking seven goals in about 20 minutes of play in the second term.
