Harper Sercombe
Bundoora has taken the first step towards the Northern Football League division 1 grand final.
The Bulls took on Montmorency on Sunday afternoon in a tight qualifying final match up.
The match was an arm wrestle early, with the Bulls taking a three point lead into the break.
In the second term the Bulls stamped their authority on the game, booting five majors to take a 17 point lead into half time.
The Magpies worked their way back into the contest after the break kicking three goals to slice the margin back to just three points.
The sides went goal for goal in the last quarter, with the Bulls winning by four points, 10.8 (68)-10.4 (64).
Bulls coach Michael Ryan said it was a brave win.
“We won more on grit than polish, just find a way to win which we did,” he said.
Former AFL key forward Shaun McKernan dominated with a five goal performance, as one of the Bulls best.
“He was the difference in the game on the weekend, he’s a match winner and such a big presence up forward,” Ryan said.
“Early on our entries to Shaun weren’t as good as what they should have been or what they needed to be, but when we started to kick it into space and allow him to use his size and use his strength, from there he was able to get ascendancy on his opponent.”
Best on ground for the Bulls was midfielder Jake Hobbs who went toe to toe with the Magpies’ gun Marcus Lentini.
“Jake was great, it was a really good battle with Lentini … both hit the scoreboard, they both had high possession numbers, they both won clearance, it was just a really good battle,” Ryan said.
This week the Bulls will face top side Heidelberg, where the winner will book themselves into the grand final.
“We understand we have a big challenge ahead of ourselves and we’re going to have to be at our best to get the job done,” Ryan said.
“I’ve got full confidence that the brand of footy we’ve been playing over the last couple of months will give us a chance to hopefully get the win.”
If the Bulls were to lose to the Tigers Saturday afternoon, they would play the winner of Montmorency and North Heidelberg in the preliminary final.
