LOWER PLENTY upset a Bundoora side riddled by skill errors to get its finals hopes back on track, with a resounding 37-point win at Yulong Reserve in Round 10.
Going into the game two games outside the top five, the Bears showed why they can’t be counted out as a finals contender just yet, despite a slow start to their 2015 campaign.
Producing glimpses of the form which saw them win nine of their opening 15 games in 2014, the Bears claimed an emphatic 15.12 (102) to 9.11 (65) win at Yulong Reserve.
The result ended a run of five straight losses and gave the Bears their first win over Bundoora since returning to the top flight in 2012.
Lower Plenty had control for the majority of the match, despite the momentum shifting numerous times on a day where with both sides able to put together cluster of goals.
Bundoora got off to the better start, taking an early lead through Luke Simpson in his first senior match since Round 2. But that was be the Bulls’ solitary major for the first term as the Bears went on to kick five unanswered goals to open up a 21-point lead at quarter-time.
That form continued into the second term as Bundoora’s poor decision making and lack of poise under pressure saw it concede two early goals, as the Bears raced out to a 34-point advantage.
With Bundoora desperately needing a response, Beau Moorcroft hit up his father Gary with a sublime pass – a play that may have been practiced in the backyard many times before.
Gary converted the subsequent shot and again found himself in the thick of the action not long after, marking on the goal line and snapping through another to get the Bulls faithful back on their feet.
A goal exchange saw out the second term with the Bears still holding a commanding 29-point advantage at the main break.
Dillan Ronalds got the visitors off to the perfect start in the third quarter, putting in a great chase down tackle and bagging the goal to extend the lead to 35 points.
Nick Grabowski and Gary Moorcroft kicked consecutive goals in reply for the Bulls to cut the deficit, but Laurie Naismith had the Bulls’ measure, converting right before the three-quarter time siren to put the Bears 27 points ahead going into the final term.
Bundoora coach Phil Plunkett demanded his side stop playing its conservative style and take the game on more often in the final term.
His troops seemed to respond early in the last, showing plenty of run. However, one risk too many saw Chas Bromley goal for the Bears against the run of early play.
Gary Moorcroft kicked a miracle goal from deep in the pocket to give the home side hope, but the Bears shut the door on any chance of a Bundoora comeback, outscoring the Bulls three-goals to two in the final 15 minutes on their way to the 37-point win.
Jesse Smith, Heath Ayres and Naismith – who bagged four goals – led the way for the Bears as they move within a game of the top five.
Bundoora’s shining lights on a disappointing day were Ben Young, Gary Moorcroft with five goals and big man Matthew Dennis.
Lower Plenty will be looking to string together consecutive wins when it hosts third-placed Northcote Park in Round 11, whilst the Bulls face a tough assignment when they travel to ladder-leader Greensborough.
Final score: Bundoora 9.11 (65) def by Lower Plenty 15.12 (102)
