Northern Bullants coach Josh Fraser reflects on club’s comeback VFL season

SEASON REVIEW: The Northern Bullants produced three memorable wins in their VFL return. Coach Josh Fraser reflects on the journey.

Tom Wilson in action for Northern Bullants. Picture: Nathan McNeill

The Northern Bullants delivered a season to remember in 2021, producing three wins in their return to the VFL.

It was the Bullants’ first campaign as a standalone club since 2002 and required an almost complete rebuild on and off the field after being dumped as an affiliate by Carlton.

Ironically, it was against the Blues that the Preston club saluted for the first time, igniting a three-game win streak.

Reigning premier Richmond and Battle of Bell Street rival Coburg also fell victim to the rampaging Ants.

Reflecting on the season, coach Josh Fraser said it had been an incredible journey.

Josh Fraser talks to his Northern Bullants players. Picture: Nathan McNeill

The inaugural Harold Martin Medal is awarded to @NBullantsFC Daniel Hughes. pic.twitter.com/mhRHr6TvS4

— Ben Higgins (@ben_higgins84) July 11, 2021

“It’s important to understand where we’ve come from,” he said.

“All the work to get a licence to return to the competition as a standalone team, having to staff a footy program from the ground up, putting together a playing list from the ground up and being well behind on our recruiting because we didn’t know if we’d have a team.

“I think the way the footy club connected and came together was exceptional.

“We had the youngest list with the least experience in the competition, so you can imagine the types of sides and players we were coming up against, and it’s a credit to our coaches and playing group.”

Fraser said all three wins were unique and special but believed one stood out.

“The Carlton result, people thought we got ourselves up for that game, when in actual fact I think it was the process of gradual improvement and we were heading toward a win and it was coincidental it came against the Blues.

“Then there was an external expectation that we’d fall away after that type of result, so to go to Richmond and back up against the reigning premier was a really mature response.

“Then to sustain that form against Coburg, in many ways was the most pleasing, there was a lot going against us in the last quarter – with the wind and conditions – and to stand up in that environment, that was an outstanding result.”

With the home-and-away season cut short due to Melbourne’s current lockdown, the Bullants finished 18th in the expanded 22-team VFL-East Coast competition.

Fraser’s men lost their opening six matches, having to face powerhouses Footscray, Box Hill, Williamstown, Werribee and Geelong.

Werribee delivered a crushing 160-point defeat in Round 6 but that margin was reduced to 30 points in the return meeting in Round 16, underlining the club’s improvement.

With only a handful of established VFL players, Fraser was rapt with his players continued improvement throughout the season.

“The start to the season we had, I think we played six of the top eight sides, we had a baptism of fire and I thought we stood up pretty well,” he said.

“Daniel Hughes, shouldering the ruck position as an undersized ruckman, I thought he improved a lot during the year.

“Harry Kennedy in his first year of VFL footy, playing a really difficult role as a high half-forward, I thought he improved a lot.

“Mutaz El Nour as a young third tall defender and Jack Boyd as a ruck-key forward both improved a lot.

Tynan Smith in action for Northern Bullants. Picture: Nathan McNeill

“Some of our more physically established players, Tommy Wilson had a really consistent year, Paul Ahern, (JL) Velissaris, Billy Murphy and Tynan Smith were consistent.”

Making his return from a knee reconstruction, captain Wilson was outstanding, averaging 24 disposals and 6.7 marks per game.

Northern is currently undertaking a full club review to assess what is needed for continued success in 2022.

Fraser said the club would look to bring new talent in over the summer but was also committed to developing the talent within the club.

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Having been the face of the Bullants return, Fraser said 2021 had been his most enjoyable season as a coach.

“I’ve said this to a few people, in many ways it was my most rewarding year,” he said.

“Having a big role in building something from the ground up, it was a big task on so many levels, and to work in conjunction with so many people to bring it all together was really rewarding.

“I’ve loved the season, it was disappointing it was interrupted … I think we’ve been able to build a really strong platform to move forward.”