Harper Sercombe
Heidelberg remain the champions of the Northern Football League as it claimed back-to-back division 1 premierships against Bundoora on Saturday afternoon.
It was a picture perfect day for football at Preston City Oval, with the Bulls seeking revenge after last year’s heartbreaking loss on the last game of the year.
However, the Tigers showed why they have been the team to beat all season booting the first four goals of the game to take control of the match.
The Bulls were finally able to break through, after a series of poor inside 50 entries, with a goal to Daniel Younan.
The Bulls seemed to be on a roll from there with former Western Bulldog and Richmond small forward Sam Lloyd hitting the scoreboard from 50 metres out to put them back within two kicks.
On the stroke of quarter time, AFL journeyman Shaun McKernan slotted one through to cut the Tigers lead to just six points at the break.
The Tigers started well in the second term, controlling most of the play, with Matthew Signorello and Sean Martin kicking goals to put them 19 points up at the 12 minute mark of the quarter.
The Bulls then responded through John Jorgensen, however it was not enough with the Tigers going on a three goal run, stretching their lead out to 32 points at the main break.
Jackson Davies was one of the Bulls’ best in the first half in defence, cutting off and spoiling countless of the Tigers’ inside 50s.
Jorgensen again hit the scoreboard, kicking the first goal of the third term.
Bulls’ ruckman Hamish Shepheard really started to impose himself on the game, showing no regard for his safety, hitting every contest at 100 per cent.
A 50 metre penalty going the Bulls way led to defender Brent Marshall slotting a goal, cutting the Tigers lead back to 19 points.
The Tigers again responded with back to back goals, maintaining control of the game.
Lloyd started to impose himself on the game, with consecutive inside 50s leading to the second goal of both Younan and McKernan.
The sides then went goal for goal, before the Tigers’ Zane Barzen kicked his third goal of the term after the siren sounded for three quarter time.
Tensions between fans began to boil over at the break with four goals the margin.
The Tigers went bang at the start of the last quarter of the grand final, putting one hand on the cup.
Misses to Lloyd and McKernan didn’t help the Bulls’ case, with Barzen making them pay down the other end kicking his fourth goal of the game.
The Tigers took the professional approach during the last term, chipping the ball around, taking valuable seconds off the clock.
The Bulls seemed to get a second wind with around 10 minutes to play of the last term, kicking consecutive goals through Peter McEvoy and Lloyd.
However, the goals were mere consolation prizes, with the Tigers claiming back-to-back premierships, winning 15.7 (97)-11.8 (74).
The Tigers’ Matthew Smith was voted best on ground by the umpires for his hard work throughout the match.
For the Bulls, Daniel Younan kicked three goals and John Jorgensen, Shaun McKernan and Sam Lloyd kicked two goals each.
Hamish Shepheard, Peter McEvoy and Younan were named their best.
Bulls’ coach, Michael Ryan, was brief in his remarks after the game, with many Bundoora supporters, players and staff members understandably heartbroken.
“All you can ever ask for as a coach is effort, and that’s what [my players] gave me today,” he said. “Given me that all year, given me that for the last four years.
“It’s been a privilege to coach and lead Bundoora Football Club.
“Keep your heads high, I’m proud of you guys and I bloody love ‘yas’.”
When Ryan took over the coaching role at the end of 2019, the Bulls had only won five games for the year. In the two full seasons he has coached the club has made grand finals, and in 2021 the Bulls were in second when the season was called off.
