Montmorency keeps season alive, puts Bundoora on life support

Josh Mills was the hero for Montmorency as the Magpies fought off a Bundoora comeback to keep its season alive with a thrilling victory and all but end the Bulls’ finals hopes.

Riley Howe in action for Montmorency. Picture: Hamish Blair

The NFL Division 1 finals race took another twist on Saturday as Montmorency secured a three-point win over Bundoora.

The Magpies moved into sixth with four games remaining, just two points behind Macleod in fifth, while the Bulls’ NFL Division 1 season appears over.

Young defender Josh Mills was the hero for Montmorency, sneaking forward to slot the winning goal with just two minutes on the clock.

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Montmorency led at every break but had to withstand a last-quarter Bundoora comeback to run out 9.12 (66) to 9.9 (63) winners at Yulong Reserve.

Magpies coach Garry Ramsay was delighted with the result, believing it would hold his team in good stead in the future.

“It was exciting for us to keep our season alive,” he said.

Riley Howe puts Montmorency on the attack. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We’d lost our previous two close games, we’d found ways to lose games we felt we could have won.

“It was good to get over the line for a lot of the young fellas to learn how to win the close ones.

“Our destiny is in our own hands … there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be going into every week confident.”

Montmorency made a bright start, leading by 15 points at quarter-time and extended that advantage to 16 at half-time.

The Bulls fought back in the third term, whittling the deficit back to six points at the final change and hit the lead with five minutes remaining.

Patrick Fitzgerald celebrates a goal. Picture: Hamish Blair

Montmorency coach Garry Ramsay. Picture: Hamish Blair

However, back pocket Mills proved the match-winner.

“In the end it was one of our under-19s that kicked the winner with two minutes to go. A lovely running goal from about 40m,” Ramsay said.

“Somehow he found his way up there, which is a really positive sign to take the initiative in a high-pressure game.”

Midfield duo Jai Robinson and Jesse Donaldson starred for the Magpies, while Blake Murphy’s work in-and-under was critical.

Pat Fitzgerald and Riley Howe both kicked three goals.

Ben Walton in action for Montmorency. Picture: Hamish Blair

Brenton Keating in action for Bundoora. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Magpies take on fourth-placed West Preston-Lakeside at Montmorency Park this weekend in what could be a season-defining clash.

Fixtures against North Heidelberg (away), Macleod (away) and Lower Plenty (home) follow.

“We played really well against West Preston, we got beaten by three or four goals but that was late. We led for a lot of the day,” Ramsay said.

“We’re confident if we play to our ability we can win the game.”

Elsewhere in Division 1, Hurstbridge fell 10 points short of an upset against Heidelberg, Greensborough smashed Northcote Park by 53 points and Macleod scraped past Lower Plenty by 10 points.

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