Bundoora coach Phil Plunkett says Northern Football League finals race will go to final rounds of campaign

Reigning premier Bundoora faces a defining three weeks as it aims to get its 2014 Northern Football League campaign back on track.

Northern Football League: Montmorency v Bundoora at Preston City Oval in Preston Craig Flint from montmorency and Cameron Cloke from Bundoora

BUNDOORA’s finals credentials will come under the microscope over the next three weeks as Northern Football League Division 1’s reigning premiers hold onto their top-five spot by a thread.

The Bulls face Heidelberg and Lower Plenty in their next two matches, needing to snap a two-game losing streak to hold onto their top-five position.

Montmorency closed to within one game of Bundoora with a 28-point win against the Bulls on Saturday, while Bundoora leads sixth-placed Macleod on percentage.

Bulls coach Phil Plunkett said the only way his side could guarantee its place in finals was winning its remaining seven matches.

“We’ve got a really tough run with Heidelberg next week and then after the break we’ve got Lower Plenty at Lower Plenty,” Plunkett said.

“There’s two games that aren’t going to be easy, that’s the beauty of the competition this year.

“It’s just so even, it makes for an exciting time to come. There’s no clear or set paths, it’s going to go right down to the wire.”

Bundoora was unable to capitalise on a red card handed to Montmorency star Ryan Willits in the opening minutes of Saturday’s clash at Yulong Reserve.

Plunkett said Willits was sent from the ground after a goal umpire reported him for an incident involving Bundoora’s Cameron Cloke.

Despite the umpire’s decisive call, Plunkett said he would be surprised if Willits received further punishment at the tribunal.

“For what it was worth, he’s missed a game so it would be disappointing if he had to miss any more,” he said.

The Bulls kicked four goals in the opening quarter but could only manage two for the rest of the game, failing to score a major kicking against the breeze.

Montmorency star Jesse Donaldson led the way for the victors, helping them overcome a 12-point quarter-time deficit to finish with a 10.13 (73) to 6.9 (45) win.

In other results, Whittlesea pushed Macleod to the final siren but missed out on its first win of the season, while Glenn Robertson’s purple patch continued with six goals in West Preston’s victory over Eltham.

The Eagles hopes of staying in Division 1 will take a major hit if they fail to overcome Eltham this weekend.

In Division 2, Lalor overcame Diamond Creek to strengthen their top-four claims, while Mernda beat Hurstbridge by 27 points and Epping fell victim to Fitzroy Stars.

Meanwhile, Michael Khoury booted five goals as Thomastown maintained top spot in Division 3 with a 56-point win over St Mary’s.