Brunswick clashed with Preston at Gillon Oval on Saturday. No, it wasn’t a re-creation of a 1980s VFA game, but the new incarnations of two famous suburban football names playing in Division 1 of the VAFA. Unfortunately for the home side their northern neighbours were able to take far greater advantage of the gusty conditions on the day and take away the four points.

The first quarter was a dour affair. Brunswick was kicking with the wind to the Sydney Road end and dominated general play for the opening 15 minutes, but weren’t able to capitalise on their chances. The Bullants gradually worked their way into the contest and held a narrow lead at the break, before turning the game on its head within a short period thereafter. With the wind strengthening, the Bullants blew Brunswick away with six goals in next-to-no-time and by halftime the visitors held a commanding advantage.

As happened in Round 1, the NOBs fought back in the third term. Classy midfielder Nick Burgin led the way, kicking two goals for the quarter and creating a number of other opportunities. Chris Gavaghan was again very good in the forward line, while Aidan Pollock was winning a lot of the ball. There was genuine hope at the final change that we could close the gap and make things hard for Preston. Alas, that was not to be as the Bullants again relished the wind at their backs and overran the home side with 7.5 to zip.

Despite the heavy loss, there were again promising signs from within our young side. Our three best players were all newcomers to the Club, in Burgin, Darcy Heenan and Gavaghan. Pollock was a four-quarter contributor, while new skipper Danny King was good and Jayden Tilbrook’s experience was a welcome addition to a youthful backline.

Earlier in the day, it was exciting for the Club when an Under 19 team took the field again for the first time in a decade, the nucleus of which were Brunswick Juniors who had started back in 2010 under Trevor Ludeman. Trevor was back at the helm for the big moment with Ross Coverdale. Well done to the boys on notching up a tough win against Ivanhoe.

Next week the seniors are away against Kew, who have also had a tough start to the season, so the four points are definitely up for grabs there.