Bundoora’s incredible run of NFL Division 1 finals about to come to an end
The year was 2000, Gladiator won Russell Crowe an Oscar and Sydney hosted the Olympics. It was also the last time Bundoora missed the NFL Division 1 finals but that extraordinary run looks set to end.
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Bundoora’s remarkable 18-year NFL Division 1 finals streak is all but over.
The Bulls haven’t missed finals since 2000 and just twice since 1986, making 15 grand finals and winning five premierships in that time.
However, the club will need a miracle after a 50-point defeat to Greensborough on Saturday.
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First-year coach Andrew Sturgess lamented losses to Hurstbridge and Montmorency as Bundoora’s finals hopes slipped away.
“Looking at our draw, it’s certainly not easy, but footy’s a strange game,” Sturgess said.
“I think it can be infectious as well, when you start losing, not a culture but a habit in some ways. The same as when you’re in winning form, you find ways to win, and at the moment we’re finding ways to lose games we’re well and truly in.
“We win those games and we’re having a very different conversation.”
Bundoora is 5-10 and faces a horror final three weeks with clashes against contenders Heidelberg (away), West Preston-Lakeside (home) and North Heidelberg (away).
The Bulls’ constitution dictates the club advertise the senior coaching role each season but Sturgess was confident he was the man to lead in 2020.
“I’m committed to Bundoora moving forward,” he said.
“I’ll apply again and hopefully the people selecting see the work I’ve put in this year and I can take the group forward.
“This year, as much as it’s not where we want to be from win-loss point of view, I feel there’s been a lot of development with our culture and certain individuals have excelled that might not have in previous years.”
Veteran forward Gary Moorcroft has been a dependable avenue to goal with 36 majors, the fourth most in the competition.
However, the Bulls have struggled to score as the season has progressed, kicking more than 100 points once since Round 4 and sitting seventh in points for.
Sturgess said securing help for Moorcroft was essential this off-season.
“It’s no secret we can’t continue to rely on Gary Moorcroft into his 40s to kick 40 or 50 goals a year and our next best be 10 or 12,” he said.
“Certainly a key forward is probably on everyone’s shopping list but we also need to add to our outside speed. When you get hit by injuries … it does test your depth.”
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