Bundoora is making a habit of winning close games, grabbing three win by 13 points or less in three weeks.
In Northern Football League’s sole division 1 match for the weekend, against Montmorency on Saturday, the Bulls came from behind in the last quarter to win a thriller 14.8 (92)-13.13 (91).
Missing star ruckman Matthew Dennis, who played with Vic Metro against a Queensland representative team, the Bulls were on the back foot early in the first quarter but hit the front by half-time. At three-quarter time, they led by two points.
Bulls football manager Daryl Richards said the players didn’t drop their heads when they fell behind in the last quarter.
“They [Montmorency] were nine points up with minutes to go,” he said. “The boys held firm and kicked two goals in the final five minutes.
“It was a 30-minute quarter and the players, to their credit held, their nerve.”
Josh Grabowski kicked four goals for the Bulls in a best-on-ground performance and Gary Moorcroft kicked three.
Richards had praise for a couple of other players.
“With no Matty Dennis, Jordan Galea did the ruck work,” he said. “You can’t replace a player like Matt, but Jordan acquitted himself well and competed strongly.
“For me, Ben Shelton was one of our best. His fist spoiling was brilliant and he nullified their full-forward, who kicked only three goals.”
The Bulls are fifth on the ladder but have played one more game than the teams around them on the ladder.
They will be boosted by returning players in coming weeks.
“Matty Dennis will come back in,” Richards said. “Luke Simpson and Josh Saunders will hopefully be back for our next game, so we’re starting to get to full strength.”
Richards said there was a good feeling around the club ahead of this weekend’s bye.
“It’s probably the best we’ve had for a while,” he said. “The new players are starting to mould into the group.
“We’re having a night off training on Tuesday night and going to the movies.
“Sometimes you have trouble getting people to these things, but we’ve had to book out half the cinema.”
