Northcote Park clawed its way through to the second semi final after a hard-fought two-point victory over Bundoora in a thrilling qualifying final.
The Cougars had a 37-point lead early in the final term before the Bulls mounted their frantic comeback, but the Cougars held on to claim the 9.10 (64) to 8.14 (62) win at Preston City Oval.
While the game was low scoring and tight up until half time, an unanswered four-goal blitz in the third term gave the Cougars a 31-point lead heading into the last quarter.
Ricky Fandrich extended the margin to 37, running into an open goal early in the final term and putting through what seemed to be the sealer.
But the never-say-die Bulls stormed home with the last five goals of the match. Nick Grabowski’s goal at the 17-minute mark pulled the margin back to six points.
It was heartache in the end for the Bulls whose last four scoring shots were all minors, with the last two hitting the post.
Many of Northcote Park’s attacking plays were orchestrated from defence. Gerard Sutton, Dylan Campbell, Nick Carter and Tyson Old’s rebounding off half-back proved critical.
After another superb home-and-away season, Jordan Perry was the best midfielder on the ground and was clinical with his ball use, while Ash Close was a much-welcomed inclusion.
Bulls big men Matthew Dennis and Isaac Muller were major contributors on the day, with Dennis’ ruck work and intercepting in the back line a big reason as to why the Bulls got back into the contest.
David Mitchell, Nathan Thomas and Joseph Palazzolo were instrumental in the midfield, while Nick Grabowski’s three goals and evasive movements in the forward half provided his side with plenty of spark.
Muller out-muscled his opponent in a one-on-one contest and dribbled through the first goal of the game for Bundoora, who started the match the better of the two sides.
But as the opening quarter went on, Northcote Park found itself on top in many aspects of the match. Joel Donaldson converted his set shot, before majors to Fandrich and Brock McLennan put a 12-point gap between the two sides at quarter time.
Once again it was Bundoora who began the second term with clear intentions. A 12-point deficit soon became a one-point advantage as Ben Young’s classy snap from 40 out and Nick Grabowski’s long-range goal from near the boundary put the Bulls in front.
But it was near impossible for either side to gain any real ascendancy on the contest, as the Cougars once again responded through Fandrich to take a seven-point lead into half time.
Three goals in four minutes early in the third term meant the Cougars had suddenly doubled the Bulls’ score.
Jordan Perry’s clearance work was second to none, while Close, who assisted McLennan with the first goal of the quarter, couldn’t be stopped in the air and converted two consecutive set shots.
Jordan Collopy snapped a beauty at the 17-minute mark to extend the margin to 33 points, and while the Bulls still got the ball deep on many occasions, the Cougars’ resilient defence stood up to the challenge as their side took a 31-point lead into three quarter time.
Fandrich’s third major was unexpectedly replied with five Bundoora goals. Frantic ball movement was the key for the Bulls in the final term, as they finished with the final 10 scoring shots.
Better conversion and a less windy day may have seen a different result, with the final two scores both posters, but it was too little too late as the Cougars held on for a remarkable victory.
Northcote Park will play off for the first place in the grand final when it faces Macleod in the second semi final on Saturday, while the Bulls head to Sunday’s first semi final.
Final score: Bundoora 8.14 (62) def by Northcote Park 9.10 (64)
