Relentless Bundoora hammers Northcote Park in NFL Division 1 elimination final

BUNDOORA relentlessly dismantled Northcote Park on Sunday to book its place in the second week of NFL Division 1 finals.

Bundoora’s Travis Keating claims a mark in front of teammate Gary Moorcroft. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin.

WATCH out Greensborough — Bundoora means business.

The Bulls relentlessly dismantled Northcote Park on Sunday to move through to the second week of Northern Football League Division 1 finals.

The Cougars kicked the opening two goals at Preston City Oval but when Bundoora settled the result was never in doubt.

Jack Furlong and Troy Barbero gave the Bulls the lead eight minutes into the opening quarter and Bundoora never surrendered it.

The Bulls’ coaching staff wondered whether they had done enough with the breeze when they led by only eight points 20 minutes into the first term.

But Isaac Muller’s goal opened the floodgates and when Gary Moorcroft chimed in with two majors in as many minutes the lead stretched to 31.

Ben Young drilled a goal on the run from 50m just before the siren, extending the Bulls’ advantage to 37 at the first break.

Northcote Park went 41 minutes between goals, finally breaking Bundoora’s run of nine consecutive goals when Brock McLennan danced through a tackle and snapped truly at the 17-minute mark of the second quarter.

Lively small forward Mannon Johnston booted the last two goals of the half, getting the Cougars back within 25 at the main break.

But there was to be no comeback.

The Bulls maintained their pressure in the third quarter and slammed on eight goals to two.

The highlight of the match came when Moorcroft soared onto the head of a Northcote Park opponent and reeled in a speccy, which was reminiscent of his effort 15 years ago while playing for Essendon.

It led one fan at the three-quarter-time huddle to ask his child, “did you see that Gary Moorcroft mark?”

“It was probably one of the best marks I’ve seen Gary take and I’ve seen him take a few,” Bulls coach Phil Plunkett said.

“He was on his head. We had the perfect angle of it and hopefully someone will get some video footage.”

There was 59 points between the teams at the final break but Bundoora was far from satisfied.

“Leave nothing in the tank” was the message from Plunkett and his team delivered the instruction to a tee.

Bundoora was 72 points in front with just minutes on the clock when Willis Flanders sprinted 50m to lay a tackle and win a free-kick for his side.

Julian Violato goaled after the siren to cut the final margin to 66, the Bulls running out 22.7 (139) to 10.13 (73) victors.

Moorcroft finished with six majors, while ruckman Matt Dennis was best afield.

Bundoora will face Greensborough in a knockout semi-final this Sunday, with Plunkett declaring the Borough will be the side under pressure to perform.

“Everyone above us finished above us, so the pressure is now on them to perform,” he said.

“Hopefully we will be able to release the shackles a bit.”