A late goal to Matthew Deledio from deep in the forward pocket provided the Cougars with their sixth consecutive win, and their second victory against the Bulls this season.
Northcote Park’s defence then stood tall in the dying stages of the game, despite a late barrage of inside 50m entries by the hosts, to hold on for a 5.17 (47) to 5.11 (41) win.
The result moves the Cougars within two points of the third-placed Bulls on the Division 1 ladder, with the club still a legitimate chance of claiming a double chance in the finals with remaining games against Montmorency (home) and Macleod (away).
Both sides were missing several of their best 22, with Bundoora losing both Matthew Dennis and Paul Harrison prior to the first bounce, while star midfielder Bronik Davies was a late withdrawal for the Cougars.
But in their skipper’s absence, youngsters Kane Slater and Brock McLennan were instrumental in the final quarter of the Round 16 win– their dash proving decisive as others fatigued in the heavy conditions.
Slater took a courageous mark late in the game and had the chance to give his side the lead after receiving a 50m penalty, but his 30m set shot missed to the near side – the miss his only error in an otherwise faultless quarter.
Bundoora had looked well positioned to claim its 11th win of the season early in the last quarter when it took the lead courtesy of a James Lord goal. The goal, in the opening minute of the term, was followed by three consecutive behinds to give the Bulls a five-point buffer.
Given the tough conditions, the lead was a handy one, however Northcote Park rallied with Deledio and Paul Scanlon and Slater leading from the front. The Cougars kicked four consecutive behinds before Deledio kicked truly from just inside the boundary line.
Deledio’s precision by foot was a standout for the majority of the day and he was only etched out for best afield honours by unsung defender Ben McNiece. The young defender was superb in quelling the influence of Gary Moorcroft – with the competition’s leading goal kicker contained to only one behind for the day.
Moorcroft did spend periods of the game up the field, but when he did push forward he was kept ineffective by McNiece, whose fast closing and courage to run back with the flight of the ball gave him the ascendency in the majority of one-on-one contest throughout the day.
Bundoora started the game in superb fashion with Cameron Cloke asserting himself on the contest after being thrown in the ruck in the absence of Dennis. Cloke had a number of important disposals early on and kicked the first of the game after winning a free kick inside forward 50m.
Micheal Farrelly then converted after taking a classy one-handed grab just 30m from goal as the Bulls opened up a 13-point buffer. When Lord followed that with another after kicking truly from 15m out, all signs indicated to a comfortable victory for the reigning premier.
Mitch Papas got the Cougars on the board when a loose ball fortunately landed in his path to soccer home, before Woonton closed the margin to just five points after converting from a 50m penalty. Given Bundoora’s dominance during the opening 20 minutes of the quarter, the away side would have been content with its position at the first break.
As the surface began to deteriorate, the second quarter became a dour struggle. Andrew Stellas kicked Bundoora’s only goal for the term after receiving a spearing pass from Brayden Shaw, however that was later cancelled out by Papas who snapped a goal from the forward pocket following a desperate spoil by McLennan.
The third term was one of missed opportunities for Northcote Park. McLennan soccered a goal to level proceedings in the opening minute after the resumption of play and it proved to be the only major of the quarter.
David Mitchell and Moorcroft both missed kickable shots within 30m of goal, before the Cougars took control of the contest. Yet for all their dominance, they could muster just six consecutive behinds.
Deledio had a 50m attempt touched on the goal line, while Papas and Woonton both missed set shots within 40m.
The highlight of the term came at the other end of the field, where McNiece dived at full stretch to smother a Farrelly pass to a vacant Moorcroft 15m out from goal. The defender then attacked the football desperately and earned an in-the-back free kick – stopping a near-certain goal.
That effort set the benchmark for his side’s intent and desire in the final quarter as it held on for another famous win in its march to September action.
Final score: Bundoora 5.11 (41) def by Northcote Park 5.17 (47)
