WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE triumphed over Bundoora with a 23-point victory in a fast paced contest at J.E. Moore Park in Round 10.
The Roosters were too strong in the final quarter, kicking four consecutive final quarter goals to bury the Bulls 16.9 (105) to 12.10 (82) and reclaim third spot on the Division 1 ladder.
The Roosters led by 13 points late in the third quarter after Glenn Robertson kicked his fifth goal for the game. It seemed West Preston-Lakeside had gained control of the game following three consecutive goals in the third quarter.
But a late goal from Bundoora’s Gary Moorcroft, his sixth goal for the game, gave Bundoora the confidence needed to gain the momentum coming into the final quarter, only trailing by seven points.
Bundoora threw everything at its opponent early in the last quarter but the defensive efforts from the Roosters defenders were sublime.
It was then the forwards and midfielders of West Preston-Lakeside who joined in to secure the win, with four consecutive goals through Oliver Dufficy, Peter Shepherd, Andrew Dobby and Shaun Barker.
The game was played in patches with both sides kicking three or four goals consecutively before allowing their opposition to then replicate the exact same thing.
West Preston-Lakeside got out to an early two-goal lead before Bundoora led by two goals late in the second quarter.
But in typical fashion, the game again changed and the Roosters fought back to gain the lead. Neither side was able to get any further than three goals ahead in the first three quarters.
The Bulls were without arguably their most important player in forward Cameron Cloke, as well as key midfielders Ricky Dyson and Joe Palazzolo for the clash. While Dyson’s position was able to be filled, the absence of Cloke in the forward line was a key factor in their loss.
While Moorcroft helped fill the void with his six goals and Matthew Ferraro at times looked very dangerous kicking three goals for the game, the forward line of the Bulls was well beaten by the Roosters defenders.
In comparison, the Roosters forward line was potent with potential key targets and multiple goal kickers.
The three key forwards in Robertson, Shepherd and Dufficy kicked 11 of the 16 goals for the Roosters. Robertson’s five goals along with Sheppard’s four goals helped them figure among the better players.
West Preston-Lakeside captain Shaun Gannon was a standout in the midfield, roaming forward to kick two crucial third quarter goals as well as being among the leading disposal winners on the ground.
Ruckman Steven Hiho battled both Bulls ruckman in Matthew Dennis and Tim Amuann alone for most of the game and was able to continually contest as well as win contested possessions around the ground.
For the Bulls it was Moorcroft who led the way in traditional fashion, kicking tight goals from the pockets and clunking a few high flying marks.
Brayden Shaw battled courageously after taking a heavy knock to his knee in the second quarter, while Sal Mamone and Ned McKeown were great in patches but faded out in the latter stages of the game.
Bundoora gets a chance to return to the winners’ list in the second re-match from last year’s grand final against Montmorency at Yulong Reserve.
West Preston-Lakeside heads to Eltham Central Park to face Eltham in Round 11. Despite sitting six places above the Panthers on the ladder, their last meeting in Round 5 resulted in a one-point victory to the Roosters.
Final score: West Preston-Lakeside 16.9 (105) def Bundoora 12.10 (82)
