NFL 2018: Josh Grabowski’s brilliant third term inspires Bundoora to elimination final win
A THREE-GOAL third quarter from stand-in captain Josh Grabowski inspired Bundoora to a 48-point elimination final victory over Greensborough on Sunday.
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A THREE-GOAL third quarter from stand-in captain Josh Grabowski inspired Bundoora to a 48-point elimination final victory over Greensborough on Sunday.
Goals were at a premium in the opening half at Preston City Oval as the Bulls went to the main break with a five-point lead after kicking three majors to two.
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The reigning Northern Football League premier made a decisive move in the third quarter as veteran Gary Moorcroft’s first goal ignited a run of nine majors in 34 minutes.
Grabowski drilled his first goal on the run and produced a carbon copy three minutes later, launching Bundoora 23 points clear.
Charlie Molyneux capitalised on a 50m penalty to answer for the Boro, but when Grabowski snapped his third goal in seven minutes the Bulls gained the impetus to claim a 12.9 (81) to 4.9 (33) victory.
“He was brilliant. He breaks the lines and runs and carries. When we needed it, he went on the ball and hit the scoreboard for us,” Bundoora coach Ricky Dyson said.
Grabowski was not without support as star ruckman Matt Dennis, defensive pillar Scott Dowell, tough on-baller Joe Palazzolo and Josh Iacobaccio made telling contributions.
The Bulls kicked nine goals to two after halftime, keeping their premiership defence alive for at least another week.
“It’s quite tiring when you are having to defend for long periods of time and we had the ball in our forward half for the majority of the second half,” Dyson said.
Bundoora will face West Preston-Lakeside in Sunday’s knockout semi-final, while Macleod takes on North Heidelberg on Saturday for a grand final berth.
“Our back half of the year has been pretty good and it is a different ball game in finals,” Dyson said.
“Everyone is in with a chance. We hope we can go deep into September.”
West Preston-Lakeside accounted for Bundoora by 53 points in Round 6, however the Bulls prevailed by 20 points in their return bout in Round 12.
The Roosters went down by 32 points to North Heidelberg on Saturday, 12.4 (76) to 5.14 (44).
Captain Brent Marshall, Ben Nesci and Nathan Thomas are in contention to return for Bundoora against West Preston after missing Sunday’s triumph.
“We’ll see how they train throughout the week,” Dyson said.
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