Bloods claim crucial four points against Bullants

By Josh Ward.

Warrandyte have strengthened their grip on the Division 4 minor premiership after defeating Bulleen Templestowe by five points at Ted Ajani Reserve.

In what was an early finals preview, the Bloods kicked the final two goals to secure an 8.16 (64) to 8.11 (59) win over the Bullants on their home deck.

Those last two goals from Warrandyte came off the boot of rising star forward Gabriel Stumpf, who kicked three goals from 10 scoring shots.

He was influential alongside Darcy Blakeley who kicked two goals and provided speed and composure in midfield, resulting in him winning the Cryo Stay Young Eastland Best on Ground.

Warrandyte skipper Oscar Hodgson was also prominent in midfield alongside Will Grybas who kicked two goals as well.

For the Bullants, Josh Sticca was exceptional in midfield, with his two-way running key in keeping the hosts in the game and getting them on top in the game.

Defensive trio Daniel Moore, Hamish McClean and senior debutant Sterling Oakley-Smith were also solid, repelling many Warrandyte attacks.

And it was the Bloods who did the attacking early on in at a sun-drenched Ted Ajani Reserve

After kicking the first goal of the game through Will Grybas, Jake Whitling’s men were unable to find the big sticks, kicking three consecutive behinds, all off the boot of Stumpf.

Corey Shiels then responded midway through the quarter for the Bullants with his first before a stalemate ensued to end the opening stanza.

With some strong words from coach Andrew Verga, Bulleen Temp were able to come out of the gates quickly in the second term.

But they too failed to capitalise in front of goals, missing two behinds in the first four minutes before Warrandyte kicked the opener of the second through Blakeley.

Will Rimmington then responded for the Bullants before Warrandyte started to get on top, with Will Grybas eventually rewarding them with his second goal of the afternoon.

Andrew Verga’s men then started to make a move, kicking consecutive goals for the first time in the contest to hit the front at the beginning of time on.

Stumpf then responded with his first goal mere minutes after Jake Sticca gave the Bullants the lead, resulting in Warrandyte holding a three point lead at the main break.

After gaining a little momentum before the main break, the Bullants were able to build off of it with the opening two goals of the term to rush out to a nine-point lead.

Bulleen Temp’s control of the contest didn’t last too long, with Warrandyte starting to lock it in their attacking half and create many opportunities inside their forward 50.

Much like the first term they failed to exploit their territory dominance, kicking two goals and six behinds to keep the door slightly ajar for the Bullants who only trailed by eight points at the final break.

With some stirring words from Verga at his three quarter time address, the hosts came out firing again with the opening two goals of the quarter to hit the lead once again.

But when the chips were down, the cream rose to the top for the Bloods who responded through their young star Stumpf.

The Division 4 leading goalkicker kicked the final two goals of the contest, which proved the difference in the end, to seal another gutsy Warrandyte victory, this time on the road.

“(We’re) pretty ecstatic to be honest. Really proud of the boys, it took a four-quarter effort,” Warrandyte skipper Oscar Hodgson said post-game.

Jake Whitling’s men will now gear up to face Fairpark away from home whilst the Bullants welcome Forest Hill to Ted Ajani Reserve next weekend.