Bundoora stays second in Northern Football League Division 1 after fright from gallant Whittlesea

BUNDOORA survived an almighty scare from a brave Whittlesea outfit to secure its fourth win of the Northern Football League season on Saturday.

Players from both Whittlesea and Bundoora were locked in a wrestle at quarter-time. Picture: Mark Dadswell

BUNDOORA survived an almighty scare from a brave Whittlesea outfit to secure its fourth win of the Northern Football League season on Saturday.

The Bulls could not have made a better start at Yulong Reserve, establishing a 19-point quarter-time lead despite kicking into what their coach Phil Plunkett rated a four-goal wind.

The Eagles fought hard in the second term to keep the margin to 27 at halftime before making their move.

Whittlesea set up a grandstand finish, drawing to within three points with a quarter to play as it eyed its first win since returning to Division 1.

Both sides were unable to gain the upper hand in the final quarter, with the contest still up for grabs in the dying minutes.

Plunkett admitted his side was fortunate to hold on for a 14.9 (93) to 14.7 (91) victory.

“We were very lucky,” Plunkett said.

“Whittlesea were coming and all credit to them, they’re a terrific club in that regard.

“I was speaking to (Eagles coach) Jimmy (Atkins) after the game and I said ‘I admire the way that your boys never give up’.

“They kept coming and coming all day, we were just lucky to be in front when the siren went.”

The gallant Eagles will be kicking themselves after losing by less than a goal for the second time in five rounds.

They remain winless and locked to the bottom of the ladder, one match behind Lower Plenty.

The victory helped Bundoora stay in touch with pacesetter Heidelberg, which thumped Northcote Park by 86 points.

“Playing Macleod and Greensborough in the first three weeks and Mont away, it was probably one of our harder starts that we’ve had for the year,” Plunkett said.

“To be 4-1, we couldn’t have asked for a better start.”

In other results, Ben Fennell and Patrick Fitzgerald turned it on for the second-week running to lead Montmorency to a 94-point victory over Lower Plenty.

Chris Brannan ran amok in Eltham’s 64-point triumph over West Preston-Lakeside, finishing with seven majors.

Elsewhere, Greensborough exacted revenge for its grand final loss to Macleod and returned to the winners’ list for the first time since Round 2.

The Borough stamped themselves as a leading contender with a 12.11 (83) to 7.14 (56) win.