Bundoora striving for top form as race for NFL Division 1 double chance hots up

BUNDOORA knows it can ill afford to bring anything but its best each week to earn an all-important top-three finish in Northern Football League Division 1.

BUNDOORA knows it can ill afford to bring anything but its best each week to earn an all-important top-three finish in Northern Football League Division 1.

The Bulls are among a host of sides in the mix for the double chance, with ladder leader Heidelberg all but assured of a cushion come finals.

Bundoora proved its quality with a 75-point thumping of the previously-unbeaten Tigers in Round 11, but has been inconsistent over the past two months.

Between rounds five and 13, the Bulls recorded five wins and four losses, missing opportunities to cement their top-five spot.

Bundoora coach Phil Plunkett said his side was determined to narrow the gap between its best and worst.

“It’s something that we’re trying to address with the whole playing group,” Plunkett said.

“It’s just one of those things, we haven’t been able to put our finger on it and neither have the boys.

“They feel like we’re preparing the same, we get through the same routine pre-game, yet we still have these lapses, up and down.”

Bundoora’s four losses over that period came against opposition ranked lower than the Bulls on the table.

Plunkett’s side was beaten by West Preston (sixth), Montmorency (fifth), Whittlesea (ninth) and Northcote Park (seventh), leaving its finals position in jeopardy.

“You aim for the top three, you get a double chance and that’s ideally what you need in a finals (series),” he said.

“Out at Preston, it can be windy, if you don’t fully take advantage of the wind in one quarter, there goes your season.

“The main aim is the double chance, to make that top three, that’s what we’ll be trying to fight for.”

Bundoora was made acutely aware of the importance of a double chance during last year’s finals series, when it lost a thrilling elimination final to Northcote Park by three points.

The Bulls moved two games clear of fifth-placed Montmorency after a 43-point victory over Eltham on Saturday.

Bundoora prevailed 16.7 (103) to 8.12 (60) at Yulong Reserve, with Damandeep Aujla best afield.

In Division 2, five goals from Jacob Osei-Duro helped Thomastown edge a thriller against Panton Hill 18.15 (123) to 19.8 (122).

In Division 3, Mernda ended Epping’s winning streak with a 29-point triumph away from home, while South Morang stayed in touch with the top four after a 16.4 (100) to 7.11 (53) win over Banyule.

The Lions are one game outside the top four with four rounds left in the 2016 campaign.

BUNDOORA’S MIXED FORM

Round 5 — two-point win v Whittlesea

Round 6 — 13-point loss v West Preston-Lakeside

Round 7 — 18-point win v Northcote Park

Round 8 — 29-point win v Eltham

Round 9 — 50-point loss v Montmorency

Round 10 — 28-point loss v Whittlesea

Round 11 — 75-point win v Heidelberg

Round 12 — six-point loss v Northcote Park

Round 13 — 43-point win v Eltham