Bundoora’s dream run in the Northern Football League division 1 season came to a heartbreaking end in the first week of the finals on Saturday.
The Bulls went into the elimination final against Northcote Park as one of the form teams of the competition and were right in the mix until the dying seconds.
The Bulls were three goals down late in the last quarter before one last comeback and were only three points behind, 17.3 (105) – 15.12 (102), when the final siren sounded.
Getting so close made the loss hurt so much more, according to Bulls football manager Daryl Richards.
“A three-point loss is hard in any game, let alone a final,” Richards said.
“Both teams came to play but there had to be a winner and a loser.
“We had a shot on goal from 30 metres out with 45 seconds to go and it hit the top of the post. We could have won it.”
Richards highlighted the Bulls’ poor second quarter and Northcote Park’s accurate kicking.
“They finished with 17.3 and two of them were rushed behinds, meaning they kicked 17.1,” he said.
“We had a poor set-up in the second quarter, when we had a slight breeze, and they got us in that quarter.
“We were a little undisciplined and maybe played a little bit of individual football.”
Jimmy Lord was best for the Bulls, kicking seven goals in a massive effort up forward.
Josh Grabowski, Brendan Carlyon and Nick Grabowski were the others to stand out.
Despite the loss, Richards said the club had a lot to be proud of this season.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the boys,” he said.
“At the start of the season everyone was talking about us being in the relegation zone but we got to the finals.
“The last six weeks were amazing.”
Richards said planning for next season had already begun.
“We were one ruckman down all year and Matty Dennis was stuffed come the end of the season after shouldering the whole load,” he said.
“Another tall defender would be good as well.
“Planning for next season started a month ago.”
Richards said veteran and former AFL player Gary Moorcroft looked likely to go on.
“He says his body is feeling good and if he wants to play we’ll play him,” he said.
Tara Murray
