After trailing by six points at quarter-time, Northcote Park booted four unanswered goals in the second quarter to set up the 14.14 (98) to 11.12 (78) victory at Preston City Oval.
Bundoora’s loss saw the reigning premier knocked out of the premiership race and brought an end to Phil Maylin’s coaching tenure at Yulong Park.
Northcote Park’s victory was set up by a true team effort.
Nick Carter was instrumental throughout the middle of the ground and Daniel Ledda, Matthew Deledio and Bronik Davies ably assisted him. Shaun Lorenzini had a day out across the half-back line, sweeping up every loose kick, while Ben McNiece took the honours in his battle with Bundoora’s livewire Gary Moorcroft.
For Bundoora, Paul Harrison was a constant danger in what proved to be his final NFL game and booted five goals, while Matthew Dennis helped the Bulls get back in the game during the third quarter when moved into the ruck.
In beautiful conditions for finals football, the game started at a ferocious pace but forays deep into the forward line were rare.
It wasn’t until the seventh minute that Northcote Park drew first blood, via a turnover from Michael Mitchell. Mitchell was attempting to get the ball through traffic via handball, but Carter smothered and quickly re-gathered the football to goal from 10m.
Harrison had a massive first quarter with three goals as he proved a constant threat up forward against the undersized Northcote Park defence. His first two goals were from marks while his third was from a result of a free kick in a marking contest against Julian Violato.
That goal cancelled out Mitch Papas’ first and saw the Bulls lead by six points at the first break.
Jason Heatley’s charges came out firing during the second quarter, booting four goals to nil as they asserted dominance all over the ground.
The Cougars were able to enter their forward 50m a total of 25 times, compared to Bundoora’s 10 and it was surprising that they only managed to boot four goals. Nyaburu Kelly’s goal from 50m on the boundary was a candidate for goal of the day as was Doug Morris’ running goal after being set up by a Joseph Woonton handball.
Maylin’s surprising tactic of starting Cameron Cloke in the back half to cover for injured duo Ben Shelton and Luke Hyatt was reversed just before half-time and things started to turn around for the reigning premier.
The Bulls started dominating across the forward line, entering their forward arc 20 times to Northcote Park’s five in the third term. However, the Cougars were able to capitalise on their chances more favourably as they still kicked three goals which left Bundoora trailing by 11 points at the final change.
With Cloke taking three big marks inside 50m during the third quarter, and the Bundoora midfield getting first use of the ball thanks to Dennis, many thought the Bulls would be a big shot of running over the top of the tiring Northcote Park side in the warm conditions.
Unfortunately for Bundoora, and Matthew Hyde, Northcote Park was able to take full advantage of a cardinal sin in Australian Football to commence the fourth quarter.
Hyde overstepped the goal line as he kicked out from a behind. Violato – whom Heatley had moved deep inside the forward line – was then able to win the resulting hitout to Daniel Rajab who was able to snap truly from the goal square on his left boot.
Bundoora was then awarded a free kick to Moorcroft after he was collected high 30m out from goal. An accurate kick would have sliced the margin to 14 points. However during the scuffle that followed, Harrison was yellow carded and the free kick was reversed as the momentum swung back to the Cougars for good.
Directly from the free kick, the play went down to the Cramer St end of the ground, where Carter was able to spot up Lorenzini who had drifted down from the backline. His left foot shot from 45m sailed over the goal umpire’s hat, and when Papas kicked truly from the ensuing centre clearance after being set up by Ledda the game was as good as over.
Bundoora booted four goals deep in time on to make the margin more respectable, but Northcote Park was never in any real danger following the previous two goals, and finished up winning by 20 points.
Northcote Park will face off against Montmorency next Sunday at Preston City Oval for the right to play in the Division 1 Grand Final against Heidelberg in a week’s time.
Unfortunately for Bundoora, and Maylin, a season which promised so much has come to an end as the club now looks to rebuild for season 2013.
Final score: Bundoora 11.12 (78) def by Northcote Park 14.14 (98)
