Mez Season? Hannan Hunts More Records
11/12/2007

Since his debut in 2005, Andrew Merryweather has dominated the goalkicking at The Bullets. Leading goalkicker at the club for all three seasons he has played, he holds the record for the most goals kicked in a game by a Bullet (nine goals) and the record for most career goals (93 goals), almost double that of the next best. Yet, in his absence in Round 9 action of the SRFL, a young rookie by the name of Ruth Hannan showed that Merryweather's domination of the goalkicking could be under threat by kicking four goals for The Bullets on Tuesday night. While she is still a long way away from surpassing some of Merryweather's records, Hannan's four goals created some records of their own. It was the first time in The Bullets 33-game history that a female player has kicked multiple goals in a game and she also overtook Narelle Jones for most career goals kicked by a female player.

When asked if she thought she could one day eclipse Merryweather's record of 9 goals in a game, she replied that she was "just taking it one week at a time". While Hannan was modest about her four goal return, Bullets statistician Ash Burton noted this week that Hannan is only the fourth Bullets player to kick four or more goals in a game. She joins an elite group who have achieved this feat; Andrew Merryweather (13 times), Dean Jones (6 times) and Luke Barisic (once). Burton also noted that all three of those players went on to win a Vitale Medal and predicted that Hannan could one day do the same. While there was much excitement about Hannan's goalkicking spree around the club, Merryweather remained characteristically unfazed. Speaking from his luxury yacht, that he spent most of his week off sailing with current squeeze Paris Hilton, 'Mez' humbly stated that Hannan still has "a long way to go before she is anywhere near as great as me".

Hannan's goalkicking display was one of the few positives to come out of The Bullets disappointing end to the season, a 57-point loss to Dumbalk. It was The Bullets fifth consecutive loss, just one shy of their worst ever losing streak. However, with Warren 'Coachy' Burford throwing out his playbook and throwing players into different positions, there were a number of promising signs for Bullets supporters. Dean Jones seemed to enjoy roaming the wide open spaces of the midfield, and formed a solid partnership with his sister Narelle, who played one of her best matches for the year. Dave Beattie's return to the side proved fruitful, as he kicked two goals before succumbing to injury late in the game. Rob Hazell also found the forward line to his liking. Playing somewhat more upfield, he set-up many of the side's goals. However, Luke Barisic found out that the grass isn't always greener in other rec footy zones, after seeing quite a few Dumbalk goals sail over his head.

The Bullets finish the 2007 season with a 3-6 record and sixth on the ladder. The competition got stronger this year and The Bullets will need to step up next year if they wish to remain competitive.