Josh Fraser discusses Northern Bullants tough start to VFL season
After Thursday night’s loss to Geelong, Josh Fraser opens up on the challenges facing the Northern Bullants in their comeback VFL season.
Victorian Football
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As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will the Northern Bullants.
The revived club has had a baptism of fire in the opening month of the VFL season, shown some good signs but ultimately been well beaten.
Thursday night’s loss to Geelong at Marvel Stadium was a snapshot of the Bullants campaign so far.
The Bullants were within three points in the second term but trailed by 25 at half-time and within 18 points in the opening minute of the final quarter but lost by 45.
Consistency is coach Josh Fraser’s main message after the 17.15 (117) to 11.6 (72) defeat but he knows it takes time with a young and inexperienced group.
“It’s been challenging when you look at the quality of teams we’ve played,” he said.
“Clearly we’ve fallen short in all games, albeit we’ve seen some really good stuff, and it’s given us a clear picture of where we need to get better.
“We probably don’t hurt the opposition enough when we control the ball, particularly going inside 50m, and defensively our awareness as a young group.
“We do have a young and experienced group at VFL level so we’re working hard with them to improve the basics at this level to execute more consistently.”
Key forward Josh Jenkins proved the difference with six goals against young defender Ben Silvagni.
“We left Benny out to dry a bit but we know there are parts of the game we can be so much better in and help each line,” Fraser said.
“I felt for Ben because he was fantastic last week and the supply that Jenkins got, plus a few free kicks, made it look worse than what it was.”
Northern’s hopes of securing a breakthrough victory were dealt a major blow early in the first quarter when star recruit Paul Ahern limped off with a foot injury.
The former GWS and North Melbourne midfielder is set for an extended stint on the sidelines, while Baxter Knight also failed to finish the game due to a back injury.
“(Paul) is one of our quality players and provides really good leadership around the footy and also dangerous forward,” Fraser said.
“Losing him early in the first quarter wasn’t ideal but rather than dwell on it we wanted to find opportunity in it and spin some other players through the middle.
“We lost Baxter Knight at half-time wasn’t ideal but that’s footy.”
Positively, captain Tom Wilson has been a standout in the first four game.
In his return from a knee reconstruction, Wilson has averaged 28.3 disposals a game, second in the competition, and is No.1 for marks with 8.5.
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Glenn Strachan sits fifth in the VFL with 22.5 touches a game, while Jean-Luc Velassaris, Mat King and Tim Jones have also impressed.
In his second VFL game mid-season draft prospect Liam Podhajski finished the night with eight possessions, two tackles, 12 hitouts and a goal.
The Bullants have also faced grand finalist Williamstown (52 points), Box Hill (56 points) and Footscray (43 points) in the opening month.
Fraser’s men get a well-earned bye next weekend but it doesn’t get any easier with a home clash against Werribee and then a trip to Queensland to face Southport.
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