Hurstbridge comeback stuns Bundoora, tightens NFL Division 1 finals fight

Nick Milne and Tom Simpson were the inspiration. Cameron Cloke the hero. Hurstbridge pulled off a remarkable comeback victory over Bundoora to tighten the NFL Division 1 finals fight.

Nick Milne in action for Hurstbridge. Picture: Josie Hayden

A scintillating fourth-quarter comeback secured Hurstbridge a thrilling one-point win over Bundoora in NFL Division 1 on Saturday.

Down by as much as 30 points midway through the final term, the Bridges stormed home to keep their finals hopes alive.

Cameron Cloke slotted the winning goal with a minute left on the clock and Hurstbridge held on in front of a raucous crowd, 18.6 (114) to 17.11 (113).

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The Bridges remain in ninth but join Bundoora and Montmorency on five wins and sit a game behind West Preston-Lakeside in fourth.

Coach Jarrod Tilley said his team’s finals hopes were in its hands.

“To get over the line by a point, it was pretty exciting for the boys,” Tilley said.

Nick Milne wraps up Andrew Sturgess. Picture: Josie Hayden

Hurstbridge coach Jarrod Tilley speaks to his players. Picture: Josie Hayden

“I said to the boys after the game ‘enjoy it, you don’t get to play in wins like this that often’.

“We know the situation we’re in, we’ve got to keep winning the get that finals spot.

“It’s uncharted territory for Hurstbridge in first division, so hopefully we can win a few more and get fourth or fifth spot.”

Hurstbridge made a bright start, leading by nine points at quarter-time, but Bundoora took control in the second term and led by 24 points at the main break.

The Bridges were in serious trouble at three-quarter-time, but were inspired by Nick Milne and Tom Simpson.

Milne kicked five goals for the game while Cloke added four — including his match-winner — and Simpson took his game to a new level in the midfield.

Tom Simpson in action for Hurstbridge. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“(Nick) got the five goals, which is great reward for him, he’s been a great player for us this year and he’s been a great player for a long time,” Tilley said.

“He probably doesn’t get recognised enough, he’s a key part to us winning a lot more games this year.

“Tom was probably the catalyst for us getting going in the last quarter. He was brilliant all day but his last quarter was outstanding.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Hurstbridge as it hosts second-placed Heidelberg this weekend.

Elsewhere in Division 1, Greensborough bounced back after its first loss of the season with a 12-point victory over North Heidelberg, while West Preston-Lakeside claimed a 61-point win in the grand final rematch against Macleod.

In Division 2, Eltham put a nail into Fitzroy Stars’ finals hopes with a 35-point win and in Division 3, Panton Hill scored a big 67-point triumph over Eltham Collegians.

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