Historic VFA rivalry between Coburg and Preston returns to Piranha Park
Traditional Bell Street rivals Coburg and Northern Bullants renew hostilities as standalone VFL clubs for the first time since 2000 on Sunday.
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Let the battle begin.
Coburg and Northern Bullants will resume the historic Battle of Bell Street on Sunday at Piranha Park.
It will be the first clash between the old rivals as standalone VFL clubs since 2000, which the Bullants won by 35 points against what was then known as Coburg-Fitzroy.
Just 3.8km separates Coburg and Preston City Ovals with the rivalry dating back to 1926.
While Coburg has been a standalone club since splitting with Richmond in 2013, the Bullants only returned to standalone status this season after parting ways with Carlton last year.
Both clubs come into the clash with winning form.
Coburg proved too good for Carlton in its return to the redeveloped Piranha Park last week while the Bullants are riding a two-game winning streak after knocking off the Blues and reigning premier Richmond.
A big crowd is expected with both clubs strongly supported in the region.
Coburg co-captain Ryan Exon was expecting an old school battle between old rivals.
“It’s the first one I’ve been a part of with Northern being standalone, so it’s great to get the old rivalry back,” he said.
“To be back on the home deck is huge, it’s something we’ve been waiting for for two years now.
“It was freezing (last week), so to get the crowd we did out on Saturday (against Carlton) was great. All the terraces were packed.
“We’ve both got some pretty passionate supporters and with the rivalry I hope (the crowd) will be even bigger.”
The clash has extra significance for Bullants’ Tynan Smith.
The crafty forward’s grandfather played for Preston in the VFA and Smith is looking forward to carrying on the family legacy.
“I think it means heaps, not just for the players and coaches, but a lot of people around the club,” he said.
“I know a lot of the supporters have spoken about this in the weeks leading up to it and how big it used to be and how big it should be.
“The players are excited to give Coburg a run, we respect them as an opponent down the road – an arch-rival – so we’re keen to get stuck into them.
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“I didn’t realise how big the Bullant was – my grandfather played for the Bullants – and I think a lot of the boys came down knowing it was an important club for a lot of people.”
Coburg will wear its indigenous jumper on Sunday to celebrate NAIDOC week.
The guernsey was designed by Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward, who has also designed Coburg’s 2019 guernsey and Melbourne Renegades’ Indigenous Round shirt in 2019-20.
The Piranha Park gates open at 11am on Sunday with the first bounce at 1pm.
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