VAFA: Preston Bullants looking to overcome inaccuracy in front of goal

PRESTON Bullants are considering a tactical shift in an effort to overcome a wayward start to the Victorian Amateur Football Association season in front of goal.

Preston Bullants produced a strong win over Therry Penola but are 2-2 after four rounds. Picture: Mark Wilson

PRESTON Bullants are considering a tactical shift in an effort to overcome a wayward start to the Victorian Amateur Football Association season in front of goal.

The Bullants have recorded 114 scores in the opening four rounds of the Division 1 campaign, slotting 55.59 and converting at less than 50 per cent.

Preston had nine more shots than West Brunswick in its Round 1 loss and had twice as many scores as Brunswick in Round 2.

Inaccuracy has only hampered the Bullants in one match to date, with commanding wins over Brunswick and Therry Penola putting them in the top four.

“We are probably going a bit too wide going in to our forward line so we are then having our shots from a wide angle,” coach George Wakim said. “We really need to look at bringing the ball into the corridor a bit more and a bit earlier.”

Preston Bullants coach George Wakim is in his 13th season with the VAFA club. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Wakim said he wanted his side to take a more disciplined approach with its shots on goal.

“Ultimately when you do what the player expects everyone to do, you convert a lot better,” he said.

“Blokes are still trying to do things I don’t get too excited about — shots from the boundary. It’s resulting in points.”

Wakim, who is in his 13th season coaching at the club, said he had been buoyed by the transition of several under-19 players to senior football.

He highlighted the early form of forwards Jackson Curic and Connor Howard and fullback Patrick Vanin, who has stepped up after Reed Jepson’s departure to Epping.

“He’s really good one on one,” Wakim said of Vanin.

“A big boy who runs really well. We’ve had him down at fullback covering Reed’s position. He’s taken it with two hands.”

The return of premiership player Tony Vuwai has been a major boost for Preston, helping offset the loss of Damon Marcon (Epping).

Despite making a promising start, Wakim said he was still to be convinced about his team’s finals credentials.

“I probably won’t be convinced until it’s finals time,” he said.

Preston sits fourth on the ladder with a 2-2 record after an 11.12 (78) to 9.5 (59) defeat against Prahran Assumption on Saturday.