Cameron Cloke booted 11 goals in a best afield display, and was ably assisted by Gary Moorcroft who booted five, as the Bulls kicked 24.8 (152) to the Panthers’ 17.17 (119).
While Cloke was too big for the young Eltham defenders, and Moorcroft too nimble, they had first-rate delivery from their midfield after quarter time with youngster Salvatore Mamone, Brendan Carlyon and Brayden Shaw all performing well.
For the visitors, Paul Currie was the best option up front with five goals, while Ryan Hocking won the majority of the ruck duels despite coming up against much bigger opponents, including the in-form Matthew Dennis.
In what had the potential to be a preview of this year’s Grand Final, the top of the table clash provided great highlights for both sets of supporters during the first quarter.
It was the visitors that hit the ground running, booting the first three goals of the match in the first four minutes thanks to Currie, Jackson Weatherald and Gavan Connelly.
Eltham was using precision kicking, running harder and pressuring the ball carrier better than last year’s premier and swiftly answered consecutive goals from Matt Dennis and Cloke.
But when Brad Perry missed the chance to put Eltham five goals up close to the quarter time siren, the momentum swung to the home team.
From the ensuing kick in, the Bulls went coast to coast, with Cloke booting his second thanks to a pass by Paul Harrison, and then three minutes later Moorcroft got his first after marking 35m out.
Even though Bundoora was still trailing at the first change, it took just 11 minutes into the secondbefore they had hit the front as the big frame of Harrison flew above a big pack to mark and goal.
Kicking goals proved to be much easier kicking downhill to the scoreboard end.
In what ended up as an eight-goal to two quarter for the Bulls, they turned a 19-point deficit into a 15-point lead as the teams hit the sheds at the main break.
It took Cloke one minute into the third to boot his fifth of the day as Bundoora extended its lead, however Eltham kept trying hard despite tiring legs.
It may be an old adage, but it is still appropriate these days – ‘Bad kicking is bad football.’
Eltham kicked 3.6 for the third quarter, while Bundoora showed a brilliant counter attacking display with 6.2 to see the lead extend to 29 points at the final change.
With only 19 fit men at the final break available for the Panthers, the seasoned Bundoora legs looked to be short priced favourites to hold on to their advantage, and they did so professionally.
Cloke and Moorcroft booted five between them in the final term to take their combined match total to 16.
The final margin of 33 points reflected two teams that have been able to score heavily this year, but also showed Eltham that there is plenty of hope when it next meets the Bulls at Central Park in Round 17.
Following the Queen’s Birthday bye next weekend, Bundoora will take on third-placed Montmorency at home, while Eltham will look to rest some weary legs and get back on the winners’ list as West Preston-Lakeside heads over to Panther Place.
Final score: Bundoora 24. 8 (152) def Eltham 17.17 (119)
