Hurstbridge claims third straight win over Bundoora with stunning upset

Hurstbridge’s stunning upset win over Bundoora sits up there with some of the club’s most famous wins as it celebrated a favourite son in style.

Mitch Dale in action for Hurstbridge. Picture: Josie Hayden

Hurstbridge produced one of its finest performance since stepping up to Division 1 in 2017 on Saturday, upsetting Bundoora by five points at Yulong Reserve.

The Bridges held their nerve in a thrilling end-to-end final quarter that saw both teams more than double their scores to three-quarter-time.

A total of 13 goals were kicked in the final term as Bundoora threw everything at the plucky underdog before succumbing 13.8 (86) to 11.15 (81).

It’s Hurstbridge’s third straight win over the Bulls and sits with famous victories over reigning premier Heidelberg and eventual grand finalist Macleod in 2017.

Sitting just a game outside the top five Bridges coach Jarrod Tilley hoped the win could ignite the team’s season.

“It was just a good game all day, it was close, it could have gone either way and we were in front at the right time,” he said.

“It’s tight, you’ve got to win the close ones, the two up the top in Greensborough and West Preston look to be spreading out but from there it’s pretty even.

“Hopefully it’s not a one off and we look back on it as a lucky win and it gets us kick started.”

The day was also a celebration of Cameron Cloke’s 250th senior match.

Cloke has played 98 matches in the Northern Football League, won two Division 1 premierships and a Rosbrook Medal at Bundoora and has been with Hurstbridge since 2018.

Sadly, after a strong start his day ended prematurely, left concussed by an accidental knee in a ruck contest in the second quarter.

Key forward Joel Naylor booted five goals as he continued his impressive start to the season while Nick Milne kicked the match-winner in the final minutes.

Naylor now has 22 majors for the season and sits third on the league goalkicking table.

Bailey Jordan in action for Hurstbridge. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Joel didn’t know many people when he came across but he’s starting to fit in now and playing really well,” Tilley said.

“He’s played a high standard before … (but) it takes some time to learn how people work and move and the forward line is starting to work well.”

Bailey Jordan, Will Cookson, Josh Harris and Troy Barbero also impressed.

John Jorgensen kicked four goals for Bundoora who were best served by Luke Collins, Jorgensen and Travis Keating.

Hurstbridge will now look to secure back-to-back wins, something it has only done once in its stint at the top level.

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The Bridges travel to Whittlesea on Saturday wary of the Eagles’ home ground advantage.

“That will be a tough game, they’re always hard to beat up there and two weeks ago beat North Heidelberg who were undefeated,” Tilley said.

“Since we’ve been in Div 1 I think we’ve only done it once (win back-to-back games) so it will be a massive focus for us this week.”

Bundoora slides to fifth on the Division 1 ladder and will look to bounce back on the road at Macleod.