Harper Sercombe
Bundoora has taken a further step to securing a double chance in the Northern Football League division 1 finals series.
The Bulls were 37 point victors in their clash against Hurstbridge on Saturday, maintaining their spot in third on the ladder.
The home side were in control of the game from the outset, taking a 14 point lead into half time.
Bundoora coach Michael Ryan said he was rapt with his team’s 11.8 (74)- 4.13 (37) win.
“I thought it was set up with our pressure around the football and then the ability to be efficient with their entries inside 50,” he said.
“We were able to put some scoreboard pressure on the opposition pretty early in the game, in pretty tough conditions for both teams to play in.
“We’re pretty happy with where we are sitting but we’re far from content as well, we know how tight it is up the top and it is such a tough competition.
“Ensuring that we put our best foot forward to make sure we can keep this winning form going.”
Things began to open up for the Bulls in the third term, as the scoring dried up for Hurstbridge due to inaccuracy. The traveling side only managed one goal from 11 scores in the second half.
“We absorbed quite a bit of pressure that they threw at us from the five to 20 minute mark of the third quarter,” Ryan said.
“They definitely owned the ball in their front half quite a bit and I thought our backs stood up really well.
“Off the back of that we were able to win the quarter on the scoreboard, just by being efficient with our passing inside 50.”
With two wins in a row for Bundoora with games against seventh and eighth placed Macleod and West Preston to come, the Bulls could take a four game winning streak into a qualifying final.
“We know Macleod, especially on their ground, is always a tricky task to face as well, so we’re definitely not taking them lightly,” Ryan said.
“We’re going to have to be at our best again, because it is such an even competition.”
After losing to Heidelberg in a grand final last season by only 15 points the Bulls are desperate to correct last season’s result.
Meanwhile, a winless Whittlesea had a 14.15 (99)-6.10 (46) loss to Banyule.
In division 2, Thomastown lost to Diamond Creek, Epping suffered a loss to St Mary’s and South Morang fell short against Panton Hill.
In division 3, Mernda beat Lalor 48.25 (313)-0.2 (2) and Laurimar had the bye.
