The remarkable finals streak by Bundoora is in danger, with the Bulls slipping to their sixth consecutive loss in Northern Football League division 1.
Having played finals in the past 18 seasons, the Bulls have long been one of the powerhouse sides of the competition.
The Bulls will need a quick turnaround of form if they are to make finals this year.
They are in eighth place and two games and percentage out of the five with three rounds remaining.
Bulls playing coach Andrew Sturgess said they knew they weren’t at the required level.
“Bundoora is such a proud club and has the expectation of success,” he said.
“People look at it from the win-loss column and it’s not reading great – and we know that.
“We’re continuing to look for ways to turn it around. Sometimes you get into a rut and it’s hard to get out of.”
Strugess said despite the losing streak, the players’ spirits remained high.
He said they were keen to get out there and win their last three matches.
“It’s so tight and even,” he said. “Results have left the door slightly ajar for finals. We’ll continue to front up and aim for three wins in the run home.
“If we manage to get three wins and get results to go our way and sneak in, it’s a great thing for us.”
The key for the Bulls in the run home will be to play four consistent quarters of football each week
That has been the biggest problem for the side in recent weeks, with one quarter a game costing it dearly.
On Saturday it was the first quarter against Greensborough.
Slow out of the blocks, the Bulls trailed by 43 points at quarter-time.
PHOTO GALLERY: Bundoora vs Greensborough
The game was mostly an even affair after that, with Greensborough eventually winning 16.14 (110)-9.6 (60).
“We didn’t have a great start to the game,” Sturgess said.
“Greensborough was able to get out of the blocks quicker. It was a bit of an arm wrestle for the rest of the game.
“For the next three quarters we were able to compete … the scoreboard in the first quarter, is the game in a nutshell.”
Veteran Gary Moorcroft was the star up forward for the Bulls, kicking five goals.
Bailey Thompson was named their best.
Bundoora this week faces Heidelberg.
In other results, Thomastown is a step closer to finals in division 2 after beating Diamond Creek.
The Bears are six points clear of Diamond Creek with three rounds remaining.
Epping lost to St Mary’s.
In division 3, Mernda snuck home against Lalor, Laurimar suffered its first loss of the season, to Panton Hill, and South Morang lost to old Eltham Collegians.
