Bundoora’s grip on the top two of the Northern Football League Division 1 loosened on Saturday with a 25-point loss to Heidelberg.
The Bulls led throughout the first half, although it was only Heidelberg’s inaccuracy that prevented the Tigers from taking the lead.
Bundoora kicked 4.1 to 2.6 in the first quarter and then 3.0 to 2.5 in the second term and it seemed that if Heidelberg could kick straighter they would gain control.
And so it proved in the third term, the Tigers kicking 6.3 to take an 11-point lead at three quarter time.
Both teams battled hard in the final term with 10 goals kicked, but Heidelberg’s six proved enough for victory.
Former AFL stars Cameron Cloke (four goals) and Gary Moorcroft (two) led the way for the Bulls (9-3), who remain second over Heidelberg (9-3) thanks to a lofty 157 percentage.
Epping got a crucial win over Lower Plenty, beating the Bears by 19 points.
The Blues, currently last, are battling Lower Plenty for ninth place, with the team that finishes bottom to be relegated to Division 2.
The Blues opened with seven goals to one in the opening term, but kicked just five for the rest of the game as Lower Plenty kicked 7.12 to mount a comeback which fell short.
Whittlesea had a slow start against local rival Mernda, trailing by five points at quarter time, but went on to kick 28 of the next 33 goals to snare a 135-point win.
Andrew Fairchild (nine goals), Ben Russell (five), Paul Harrison (five) and Lucas Hobbs (four) all kicked bags for the Eagles.
Lalor had a 66-point win over South Morang, while Thomastown pipped Reservoir by five points in Division 3.
