Tara Murray
Bundoora is finally on the board in the Northern Football League division 1 season.
The Bulls, who played off in the last two grand finals, found themselves in an unusual position of winless after five matches.
On Saturday, the Bulls managed to show a bit more of their football against West Preston-Lakeside, despite missing several key players.
The Bulls led by 15 points at quarter time and were able to extend the margin to 40 points at half time.
The third quarter was still in the Bulls’ control before the Roosters won the last quarter, but it was too late with the Bulls winning, 12.9 (81)-5.14 (44).
Bulls coach Heath Scotland said there was a huge sense of relief for the side to finally get the first win.
It’s Scotland’s first win in Bulls colours.
“It’s been a tough start to the season and it’s nice to get the first win,” he said. “Losing the first five weeks isn’t ideal, but we’ve had a big turnover on the list.
“We’ve had a myriad of different challenges throughout the year. There was some real effort there and some sort of resolve in striking to the game plan.”
Scotland said he was unsure how his side would go heading into the match with the Roosters.
The Bulls were missing three key midfielders along with a key back and key forward.
“I wasn’t sure what we’d get against West Preston,” he said. “For us to pressure them as well as we did and defend really strongly was really good.
“To keep them to two goals at three quarter time and improve our ball use was good.”
Peter McEvoy kicked six goals for the Bulls and was one of their clear standouts.
Scotland said Sam Green, Liam Mallia and Mitchell Antonello were some of other key players in what he said was a real team performance.
Scotland said getting the win on the board would only build the confidence of the group.
“We’ve shown snap shots in the first five games,” he said. “But we haven’t been able to maintain that consistency.
“Yesterday [Saturday] it came together and the boys saw the reward and what the game plan looks like when it’s executed consistently.”
In boost for the Bulls, Luke Collins, Jackson Davies, Jesse King, Zane Barker and Jack Maruff could all return this weekend.
Scotland said they want to build some consistency in the next period of matches.
“We knew it would be a tough start with the teams we were playing in the first five matches,” he said.
“There are some real winnable games coming up and we need to stay together and build off that momentum and bring it to Saturday’s game.”
In division 2, Thomastown and South Morang both got wins, while in division 3, Old Paradians were on the winners list.
