Bundoora’s hard work and persistence paid off as it produced one of its best performances of the year in the opening round of the Northern Football League division 1 finals.
The Bulls put their best on show against Northcote Park in the elimination final after being one of the year’s most consistent sides.
After conceding the first two goals, the Bulls got going and kicked the next nine to open up a 37-point lead.
The margin was reduced to 25 points at the main break, but it wasn’t a concern for the Bulls heading into the second half.
They kicked away to win 22.7 (139)-10.13 (73).
Bulls football manager Darryl Richards said it was good to see the hard work both on and off the field paying off.
“It took a little while to wake up, but once we got the ball movement out of the centre we got going,” he said..
“We really limited them going forward … they had some good players we had to stop going forward.
“Ben Young did a great on Ash Close, while the run out of the backline by Willis Flanders and Brenton Keating was really good. The whole back line was fantastic.”
Kane Slater was named best on ground, but it was the performance of Gary Moorcroft that had many talking.
He kicked six goals and turned back the clock to take an absolute hanger.
“It’s absolutely up there,” said Richards of the mark. “He doesn’t have the step in his legs he used to, but once he got the ride he was set.”
The work isn’t done for the Bulls, who face a do-or-die final against Greensborough on Sunday.
“Greensborough played quite well against Macleod and only got done in the last quarter,” Richards said. “We have to bring the sort of game we played against Northcote Park. We can’t rest on our laurels.”
