Bundoora holds off Northcote Park in tense Northern Football League finish
BUNDOORA moved a step closer to the Northern Football League Division 1 top-five with a crucial away win over Northcote Park on Saturday at Bill Lawry Oval.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
BUNDOORA moved a step closer to the Northern Football League Division 1 top-five with a crucial away win over Northcote Park on Saturday at Bill Lawry Oval.
The Bulls survived a few nervous moments in the final minutes of the match to secure a 13.16 (94) to 12.17 (89) victory.
The result lifted Bundoora to sixth, just two wins behind ladder leader Greensborough.
Bulls coach Phil Plunkett acknowledged close wins would be vital if his side was to stay in the finals race.
“We’ve already had a couple of (close losses),” Plunkett said.
“We lost to Monty ... and then even Greensborough by eight points, there’s another two games and we could have been sitting equal top.
“I said to them at half-time, ‘I don’t want a year where we look back and go, what if or whatever, let’s make sure we really fight this one out to the end and come away with four points’.”
The match was set up for a grandstand finish after Bundoora booted five third-quarter goals to lead by 14 points at the final change.
Northcote Park responded with five goals of their own, but 3.6 in the last stanza from the visitors was enough for Bundoora to claim its fourth win of 2015.
“The intensity from everyone lifted and you could feel the atmosphere out there,” Plunkett said.
“Both sides just put their head down and really attacked the ball with a bit of ferocity.”
Ned McKeown played an important hand in the win, limiting Collingwood VFL-listed forward Ash Close to two goals.
McKeown was named Bundoora’s best, earning praise from his coach after giving away considerable size to 199cm Close.
“Ned McKeown, I thought, did a terrific job on Ash Close,” Plunkett said.
“I reckon he would have had a couple of feet on Ned, but I thought it was Ned’s best game for the year. “He really competed well.”
Kent Delbridge and James Lord led the way on the scoresheet for the Bulls, combining for eight majors.
In other results, North Heidelberg broke through for its first win of the year against Montmorency.
The Dogs controlled the contest throughout at Montmorency Park, scoring a 31-point win thanks to six-goal hauls from Simon Andrews and Shane Harvey.
One win is all that separates North Heidelberg and perennial finalist Montmorency on the table after the result.
Macleod overran Greensborough to add to the logjam at the top of the ladder, with only two wins separating first from seventh.
Elsewhere, David Rodan played his best game for West Preston-Lakeside in a 52-point triumph over Lower Plenty, while Heidelberg got the better of Eltham.
Rodan finished with four goals in the Roosters’ win, which lifted the club to fourth after eight rounds
The rising stars set to take VTCA season by storm
Talented youngsters continue to make their way through the ranks of Victorian Turf Cricket Association clubs. Here’s some of the rising stars to look out for this season.
Local club celebrates centenary with legends, new beer
Local cricket club Barkly Street Uniting is celebrating its centenary this season and marked the occasion by inducting new legends and a beer collaboration.