Bulls preparing for epic battle


Published on Friday, June 2, 2017

Author : Mick Mattingly

Ricky Dyson says Bundoora is under no illusion it will be in for a strong test for the second-consecutive week when it takes on ladder-leader Northcote Park.

Speaking to NFL.org.au ahead of the top-three clash, the Bulls’ coach said an impressive win over West Preston-Lakeside last weekend will mean nothing if his side doesn’t back it up again at Bill Lawry Oval this Saturday.

“I guess we have probably played well one week and then let ourselves down a little bit the week after. It’ll be a great test for us two weeks in a row,” Dyson said.

The Bulls pulled away from West Preston-Lakeside in the final quarter last week to move into third position on the ladder, equal on points with Northcote Park and Macleod – all with a 5-1 record.

The runaway 21-point triumph at J.E. Moore Park followed an incredible final-quarter burst in Round 5, where the Bulls pilled on 15 unanswered goals to beat Eltham by 98 points.

Ahead of Saturday’s massive clash, Dyson said he is not surprised Northcote Park sits atop the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 ladder after six rounds.

“They’ve been super. We had the chance to go and watch them against West Preston and they were fantastic,” he said.

“They’ve got plenty of firepower up forward and then set up really well behind the ball in defence.

“We definitely have our work ahead of us.”

The firepower in Northcote Park’s forward line is led by Collingwood VFL-listed player Ash Close, who has kicked 18 majors this season to sit fourth on the goal kicking table.

Close and fellow tall Paul Dirago will return to the Cougars’ line-up after both were late withdrawals from last week’s win at Montmorency.

Despite facing a red-hot opponent, Dyson believe his side is beginning to play the football he knows they are capable of.

“We are gradually building every game. You can see we are improving and the new players that have come in to the team are gelling really well,” he said.

Bundoora headed into this season off the back of a heavy recruiting spree, headlined by the acquisition of experienced VFL pair Nathan Thomas and Danny Younan, gun midfielder Kris Bardon and Lalor forward Todd Hughes.

Dyson said the impact of VFL duo Thomas and Younan around the club had been bottomless.

“They’ve both had a huge impact. They’ve been great on the field and even better off it,” he said.

“They are great leaders and are really setting a standard at the club both at training and game day.”

Bundoora and Northcote Park were both well represented in the Northern Football League representative team in May, having five and three respectively in the final squad.

The winner of this weekend’s clash will move to 24 points and could potentially sit outright first on the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 ladder should Heidelberg manage to inflict a second-straight defeat on Macleod.

You can hear all the action from tomorrow’s match at Bill Lawry Oval live on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM from 2pm.

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