Belief builds at Northcote Park after nailbiting Northern Football League elimination-final victory over Bundoora

NORTHCOTE Park moved a step closer to its first grand final appearance since 2012 with a nailbiting elimination-final victory over Bundoora on Sunday.

NFL Football: Northcote Park V Bundoora

NORTHCOTE Park moved a step closer to its first grand final appearance since 2012 with a nailbiting Northern Football League elimination-final victory over Bundoora on Sunday.

The Cougars held on in a thrilling climax at Preston City Oval as Bulls star Ricky Dyson missed a set shot from 35 metres out with 30 seconds on the clock.

Dyson’s shot appeared set to sink Northcote Park, but it faded late and caught the top of the goalpost.

The Cougars controlled possession for the remaining seconds of the Division 1 contest, posting a 17.3 (105) to 15.12 (102) victory to set up a semi-final against Eltham this weekend.

“The game was in their hands for a minute there with Ricky Dyson having that shot,” Northcote Park captain Bronik Davies said.

“We were just lucky it swayed a little late and hit the post.

“The boys just had such a massive effort today, we were on the back foot from the start ... and really had to work hard.”

Patrick O’Connell, Luke Svarc and influential half-forward Dylan Campbell kicked the final three goals of the opening half, giving the Cougars a 15-point buffer at the main break.

But James Lord sparked Bundoora with the first three goals of the third quarter.

Momentum appeared to have swung dramatically in the Bulls’ favour when Brendan Carylon goaled after Northcote Park playing coach Harmit Singh was yellow carded.

Campbell booted his fourth major before Mitch Papas opened his account to answer the challenge, the sides trading blows over the next 15 minutes either side of three-quarter-time.

Papas’ second sparked a run of three goals in four minutes from the eight-minute mark of the final quarter as Northcote Park opened an 18-point lead.

Aaron Shaw’s third goal of the last term looked to be enough for Northcote Park to progress, before Gary Moorcroft and Lord drew the Bulls within five points.

Joe Palazzolo’s shot appeared to have given Bundoora the lead with just minutes left, only for the goal umpire to rule it had been touched before sailing through.

The Bulls had one more chance to win the game, but the slightest of breezes sent Dyson’s goal-bound shot into the post to seal Northcote Park’s passage to the second week of finals.

“We definitely take a heap of belief from a win like today,” Davies said.

“I feel like Bundoora was the form team in the competition.

“If not the in-form side, they were up there with the top two.

“To knock them off on the finals stage is huge for our young boys and I reckon they’re just going to grow in confidence.”