Bundoora bounces back after consecutive losses with big win over Macleod

After consecutive losses Bundoora produced its “most professional performance of the year” to smash Macleod and cement its top-three spot.

Bundoora recruit David Zaharakis. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Bundoora bounced back from consecutive NFL Division 1 losses with a commanding 42-point win over Macleod on Saturday.

After a shock loss to Hurstbridge last week, Bulls coach Michael Ryan said his team delivered its ‘most professional performance of the year” at DeWinton Park.

A seven-goal opening term sparked the runaway win with only inaccuracy in front of goal stopping a complete blowout.

Kyle Green booted four goals, while Sam Lloyd and Luke Collins ran rampant in midfield to inspire the 12.19 (91) to 5.9 (39) victory.

Hamish Shepheard impressed in his return from suspension, underlining his importance to the Bundoora midfield, while the Bulls defence kept the Kangas to a single major in the second half.

Bundoora players celebrate a goal. Picture: Steve Tanner

Ryan had no doubt his team would respond after a week of reflection.

“We never like losing but the boys, the way they train and the standards they set, we knew what we had to work on,” he said.

“There’s going to be a couple of games a year where the result doesn’t go your way but I’ve got unconditional trust.

“There wasn’t a lot that went wrong (against Hurstbridge), it was an accumulation of a few little things that built up to cost us a game of football.

“I think it’s recognition of how close the competition is, one through 10 anyone can beat anybody, Hurstbridge were quite competitive against Heidelberg.

“I thought that was probably our most professional performance of the year, in terms of being disciplined, our patience and playing to the conditions, so I was really happy.”

Lloyd and Collins were dominant in midfield, while also getting forward to hit the scoreboard.

Shepheard’s return set up a mouth-watering battle against Macleod gun Patrick Flynn, with Shepheard taking the points in a tough contest.

The midfield control allowed the Bulls to control field position and made it difficult for the Kangas to counter-attack.

“Having Hamish Shepheard back is huge for the guys, the boys walk a lot taller,” Ryan said.

Bundoora veteran Brent Marshall gets a handball away. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“We had 31 shots on goal so we could have potentially extended the margin a little bit but the conditions were horrible for football – just blowing a gale.

“Our midfield group was a lot more composed with ball in hand and that allowed the backline to set up behind the ball.

“The thing I was really pleased with was we held Macleod to one goal after half-time and that was with the strong breeze.

“That shows how high our pressure was around the ball and they had a really good side in too – Lucas Hobbs, Brad Leggett, Pat Martin and Anthony Doherty – so we knew it was a danger game for us.”

Ryan reserved special praise for Green’s performance, a season-high four majors, lifting him into the competition’s top-10 goalkickers.

“Kyle’s had 10 shots on goal, so he could have had a real day out,” he said.

“His first four or five weeks, by his own admission, probably wasn’t giving the output he hoped for but his last eight games have been sensational.

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“Playing that small forward role – it’s probably one of the hardest on the ground – and now to have 26 goals, I believe Kyle and Danny Younan’s output is a big reason behind our ladder position.”

Patrick Martin booted four goals to be Macleod’s best in defeat, while Kurt Manuel, Reid Brandt and Anthony Doherty also performed strongly.

Bundoora and Macleod will now have the week off with Division 1 having a split round.

The Bulls will tackle Greensborough after the break, while the Kangas will face Montmorency in the hope of keeping their finals hopes alive.