BUNDOORA won a thrilling encounter with fierce rival Montmorency over the Queen’s Birthday weekend, defeating the Magpies by the slimmest of margins in a back and forth contest at Yulong Reserve in Round 9.
The Bulls turned the tables on their two-point defeat at Montmorency Park in Round 2 to take the 14.8 (92) to 13.13 (91) win – their third victory in a row following successive away victories at Eltham and Northcote Park.
In a last term that consisted of 12 goals between the two sides, a cracking drop punt from the boundary line courtesy of Kent Delbridge proved to be the difference as the Bulls held on for the victory.
Montmorency had kicked with the wind in the first term, but was unable to convert its opportunities. The visitors slotted 3.6 for the term and went into the first break with just a 15-point lead.
Bundoora was able to make better use of the breeze in the second quarter, kicking six goals to one to take a 16-point lead into half time. The quarter featured two majors to Josh Grabowski who was best afield on the day.
Grabowski slotted four majors in total for the match, with Bundoora coach Phil Plunkett full of praise for the recruit – calling his performance “one of his best for the year".
Grabowski was aided by Gary Moorcroft, who kicked three majors, as well as Ben Young and James Lord who each slotted two goals apiece.
Montmorency again wasn’t able to take advantage of the breeze after half time, as the Bulls defence – led by Ben Shelton – was able to restrict the Magpies to just three majors.
Trailing by two points, the final term was always going to be an uphill battle for the Magpies, but they stood up to the challenge. A Luke Collins goal in the first minute of the final term gave them the lead for the first time since midway through the second quarter.
The lead changed six times in the last quarter, with neither side going ahead by more than 10 points.After Collins kicked his third goal for the day, putting the Magpies ahead by 10, it looked as though the Bulls had nothing left.
However two crucial goals to Lord put the home side back in front before Delbridge’s goal from the boundary at the 27-minute mark looked to put the match beyond reach of the Magpies.
One last ditch attack saw Montmorency ruckman Joel McLellan mark and goal at the 29-minute mark, but with just seconds remaining on the clock the Bulls were able to hold on for a memorable win.
Missing first choice ruckman Matthew Dennis – who was on Vic Metro duties along with Montmorency co-captain Jesse Donaldson – the Bulls brought in Jordan Galea for his third senior match of the season.
Plunkett had nothing but praise for Galea after the match.
“The way he’s coming along and growing is great to watch and I can truly see that in the next few years he’ll be a big towering force in this competition,” Plunkett said.
Both teams have this week off and will look to come back refreshed after the break. The Bulls host Lower Plenty at Yulong Reserve while Montmorency hosts second-placed Macleod.
Final score: Bundoora 14.8 (92) def Montmorency 13.13 (91)
