A changing of the guard for the Bulls as they say farewell to some of the club's all-time premiership greats.
Senior Men's
Ladder Position: 7th (6-12, 104.04%)
Best and Fairest: Jackson Sketcher
Leading Goalkicker: Ben Marson (25 Goals)
Summary:
An end of an era for the Bulls as they part ways with some of the club’s greatest all-time players.
The Bulls farewelled Jackson Sketcher, Kyle Martin, Luke Bull and Chris Horton-Milne with a final game together in the Round 18 at home against Rowville.
After just missing out on a top-six finals spot last season, the Bulls looked likely to bounce back after the first three rounds, three convincing wins to start the year. However, that was followed by eight consecutive losses, three of which were decided by less than a goal against Vermont, Norwood and Rowville.
Key Players:
After winning the Chandler Medal in 2024, Jackson Sketcher continued his dominance as one of the league’s best. The star midfielder averaged 29.5 disposals, 5 tackles and 8 clearances per game in 2024. Sketcher once again took out the Noble Park Best and Fairest.
Nathan Noblett was key to the structure of the side, the runner-up in this year’s club best and fairest count. Noblett averaged 15 disposals, 4 marks and 5 rebound 50’s per game.
Returning back to the side after his ACL injury, EFNL great Kyle Martin was a much welcomed addition to the Bulls side. Just the six games this season but was still very much damaging when out there, averaging 21.7 disposals and 1.5 goals per game. In his return game for the Bulls in Round Six, Martin was the leading disposal getter with 25 disposals and 11 clearances.
Best Win: Round 16 – Noble Park 10.8 68 def. Blackburn 6.13 49 @Morton Park
With not much to play for as they headed into the final rounds of the season, the Bulls pulled off an upset over Blackburn who had everything to play for with a finals spot on the line.
They managed to shape how the top five would finish up by taking down the Burners by 19 points.
The game was tight through the first half with Blackburn wasting opportunities in the second quarter, kicking 2.6 to 2.1. After the main break, the Bulls maintained control, kicking six goals to two. Kevin Kean finished with three for the day while Harley Fairbank kicked two of his own.
It was yet another Jackson Sketcher masterclass, 30 disposals, 8 Inside 50’s, 5 Rebound 50’s. 151 Premier Data ranking points in a best-on-ground display.
Off-Season Focus:
It certainly will look like a much different side that runs out onto Pat Wright Senior Oval next season.
Joining the coaching department this season is Ex-AFL star Brad Crouch, who played over 160 games with both Adelaide and St.Kilda. A fantastic appointment as the senior assistant coach in 2025.