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By any definition Saturday's final against Sandringham was a debacle that for the most part is best forgotton. Despite that the club should never forget the importance of developing a strong VFL list and the Chris Heffernan incident!
That doesn't mean the club should go running to the VFL or make public statements, football should do the talking. From my point of view by deciding to play outside the rules, Sandringham effectively declared 'war' on the Bullants, which in the long run could be a good thing.
Two finals apperances in 15 years has seen few clubs take the Bullants seriously, but as this changes the Bullants must cope better with big game pressure. The game was a carbon copy of the 2003 reserves grand-final; big expectations shattered within a quarter or so.
Hopefully the experience will do the club good and eventually we will learn to cope with the added pressure of finals football. Lots of clubs struggle at first finals appearance but it can turn around quickly.
Look forward to the game against Tassie this week, we should get some VFL players back as well as a few from Carlton.
If all are fit I would make eight changes, brining in Adam Bentick, Simon Wiggins, Digby Morrell, Justin Davies, Troy Longmuir, David James, Brett Gutterson and Jason Harmes.
Luke Livingston is ineligable, would drop Sam Pleming, Jess Smith, Jordan Russell, Nick Fallu, Michael Mitchell, Brent Colbert and Chris Bryan.
Would leave Bryan out due to team balance.
My team would look something like this
J.Vansittart S.O'Hailpin D.Clarke
S.Wiggins K.Norman J.Bannister
G.Bowyer J.Davies D.Donoghue
F.Raso T.Longmuir C.Chambers
M.Hooper D.Morrell R.Young
J.Crow R.Williams, D.James, B.Gutterson, J.Harmes
B.Johnston
A.Bentick