Bundoora ends Heidelberg’s unbeaten run in NFL Division 1 with Gary Moorcroft-inspired 75-point demolition

BUNDOORA responded from an upset loss to Whittlesea in the best possible fashion on Saturday, handing Heidelberg its first loss of the Northern Football League Division 1 campaign.

Bundoora coach Phil Plunkett. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

BUNDOORA responded from an upset loss to Whittlesea in the best possible fashion on Saturday, handing Heidelberg its first loss of the Northern Football League Division 1 campaign.

After he was left to question his side’s mental application following a 28-point loss to the Eagles, Bulls coach Phil Plunkett could not have been happier with Bundoora’s endeavour against the Tigers.

The Bulls led from start to finish at Yulong Reserve, belting Heidelberg by 75 points to send a warning to the rest of the competition’s flag hopefuls.

The 18.10 (118) to 6.7 (43) triumph was led by small forward Gary Moorcroft, who slotted eight majors, while Andrew Carmusciano and Brendan Carlyon played key roles.

“The boys’ attitude was a lot better this week and we really came to play as a team,” Plunkett said.

“I think it was by far our best game of the year.”

Bundoora is one game clear of fourth-placed Macleod after Round 11, with Saturday’s win moving it a step closer to a coveted top-three finish.

“They had a few out, a few missing,” Plunkett said.

“It was probably one of those ones where we got them at the right time.

“You can’t sustain that sort of quality all year and we were lucky we pounced.”

The Bulls will be out to build on their momentum when they tackle Northcote Park at Bill Lawry Oval this weekend.

In other results, Whittlesea claimed its third-straight win in a thriller over Eltham.

The Eagles have beaten three 2015 finalists over the past three weeks — disposing of Northcote Park, Bundoora and Eltham to move two games and percentage clear of Lower Plenty.

Skipper Andrew Fairchild was brilliant for Whittlesea, booting six goals in a 14.7 (91) to 13.12 (90) win.

Montmorency and Greensborough were Saturday’s other winners.

In Division 2, Lalor and Thomastown slipped further from finals contention after losing to Fitzroy Stars and Diamond Creek respectively, while North Heidelberg beat Panton Hill by 36 points.