VAFA: Injuries hamper Preston Bullants push for finals return in Division 1

THERE were times this year where Preston Bullants’ bench was overflowing with sore bodies.

THERE were times this year where Preston Bullants’ bench was overflowing with sore bodies.

Against Oakleigh in Round 13 of the VAFA season, the Bullants were down to 16 players for much of the last quarter as injuries took their toll.

VAFA 2018: GOALKICKING WOES HURTING BULLANTS

VAFA 2018: GRYPHONS DIG DEEP TO EARN GRAND FINAL BERTH

VAFA 2018: OLD CAREY STITCHES UP THE DOUBLE CHANCE

Coach George Wakim listed two broken fingers, an ACL tear and concussion among the issues he juggled that day, while Preston also had a player sent off during the last quarter.

A long injury list was an all too familiar theme of the Bullants’ Division 1 season as they lost seven of their last 10 games following a rousing Round 8 away win over minor premier Hampton Rovers which suggested they were a flag contender.

“We are certainly good enough when we are at full strength,” Wakim said.

“We got hit pretty hard by injuries to key players and it felt like as if we were just trying to fill up holes for the rest of the season. It made it really difficult to get our form right back up there.”

Preston finished in sixth spot with a 9-9 record, three games and percentage from a finals berth.

The Bullants claimed wins against each of the eventual finalists by Round 8, leaving Wakim to ponder what might have been.

Patrick Vanin was a standout for Preston Bullants throughout the VAFA season.

“There’s certainly still a bit of belief in the group we can be a lot better than what we showed this year and hopefully next year we bounce back and show that,” he said.

Defeats against Brunswick NOBSPC (ninth) and Kew (eighth) and two losses to West Brunswick (seventh) ultimately cost Preston a finals berth.

Wakim, who has been in the senior job since 2013, has indicated he would like to stay at the helm for a seventh year.

Tony Vuwai slides in to a mark for Preston Bullants.

Patrick Vanin, Samual Fleming, Isaac Trickey and Paul Sansonetti were consistent performers throughout 2018.

Wakim said his side had the potential to rebound quickly.

“I have never had a season where we have had so many key players out injured,” he said.

“I have got seven players in my leadership group and I went into one game with one of them.”

MORE LOCAL FOOTY

TEENAGER LEADS SOUTH MORANG TO PRELIMINARY FINAL

WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE TASTES NFLW GLORY

EX-AFL SPEARHEAD BOOTS 100TH GOAL OF SEASON