Bundoora survives tough test from Lower Plenty in NFL Division 1

Bundoora overcame a fired-up Lower Plenty, a Stephen Milne cameo and freezing conditions to claim a hard-fought NFL Division 1 win and cement it place in the top four.

Brodric Gray in action for Bundoora. Picture: Josie Hayden

Bundoora had to get down and dirty on Saturday to claw past Lower Plenty by a solitary point.

In conditions reminiscent of the 1980s, the Bulls avoided becoming the Bears’ second straight NFL Division 1 top-five scalp by the slimmest of margins at Montmorency Park.

After knocking off Heidelberg the previous week, Lower Plenty made a final-quarter charge but Bundoora defended grimly in the dying minutes to snatch victory, 11.11 (77) to 11.10 (76).

Bulls coach Andrew Sturgess paid tribute to both clubs.

“It wasn’t pretty to watch as a spectacle but in terms of the contest, I think that’s what people would have appreciated,” Sturgess said.

Gary Moorcroft kicked three goals in Bundoora’s win.

“It was freezing with a couple of trickles (of rain), but more so the ground, the condition and state it’s in at the moment, was comparable to 80s footy at the MCG — just a bog heap.

“In the conditions it wasn’t necessarily going to be about who had the better list, or who had the better 22 talent wise, it was going to be a slog all day.

“Credit to both teams for the way they fought it out and we were on the right side of the ledger.”

In a brutal contest, the biggest lead at a break was just six points.

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With the game on the line, Bundoora wasted multiple chances, kicking 1.4 in the fourth quarter as Lower Plenty added 2.3.

Brodric Gray kicked two crucial goals while Daniel Venditti and Matt Dennis were huge in the contest, winning key clearances to keep the Bulls in front.

In a one-off appearance for the Bears, former St Kilda forward Stephen Milne booted three goals.

The win moved Bundoora up to fourth on the ladder with a clash against second-placed Heidelberg this weekend.

Bundoora coach Andrew Sturgess talks to his players. Picture: Josie Hayden

Sturgess said it was a crucial result ahead of a tough fortnight that includes the second-placed Tigers and Northcote Park.

“Credit to our guys for holding on and fighting it out the way they did to get the win,” he said.

“In the context of our season, you’re the wrong side of a point (result) and it has massive ramifications on ladder position.

“It is really tight, wins like (Saturday) mean so much and every game has a lot riding on it.”

Elsewhere, West Preston-Lakeside scored a 19-point win over Hurstbridge, 11.15 (81) to 9.8 (62).

The Roosters sit seventh with a 3-6 record.

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