Northcote Park maintained first place on the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 ladder following a bruising 15-point win over Bundoora.
The Cougars led from start to finish to record the 15.14 (104) to 13.11 (89) triumph at Bill Lawry Oval in Round 7.
The sixth-straight win improved the Cougars’ record to 6-1 as they remained above Macleod on the ladder on percentage. Bundoora slipped a game off the top-two following just its second defeat of the season.
The clash between two of the competition’s top-three teams lived up to its billing, with the sides displaying finals-like intensity throughout the physical battle.
Speaking after his side’s best win of the season, Northcote Park coach Matt McLennan was relieved to get through the contest unscathed.
“It fell our way today, fortunately,” McLennan said.
“I think both coaches would agree that we’re glad we’re going into the bye. It was a bruising game of footy.
“We’ve got massive respect for Bundoora. We’ve had a long rivalry with them and certainly in my time at the club we’ve had some cracking games against them.
“We’ve always served up some pretty good footy against them and managed to again today.”
Gerard Sutton was superb for Northcote Park, containing Gary Moorcroft to two goals, while Lachy Boscarini, Ash Close (five goals), Jordan Perry and Damian Galofaro all contributed strongly.
Michael Naldrett played an effective lockdown role on Bundoora star Nathan Thomas, while Paul Dirago was a strong presence.
McLennan said he was pleased with the even contribution from his side.
“It’s been like that most games. If you look through our records, our best each week are entirely different to the week before,” he said.
“We rotate really well and my assistants do a really good job with that – maintaining the bench and the allocation of positions.”
Northcote Park looked headed for a comfortable win when it raced to a 25-point lead early in the second quarter. The Cougars won the ball consistently in the midfield and often capitalised on Bundoora turnovers.
Jackson Starcevich kicked two goals in the opening quarter to guide the Cougars to a 19-point buffer at quarter time. That margin was stretched further when Dylan Campbell kicked a goal two minutes into the second term.
However the undermanned Bundoora – who was without key trio Ricky Dyson, Todd Hughes and Danny Younan – fought back brilliantly.
The Bulls kicked five of the next seven goals close the deficit to just eight points at half time, with the physicality lifting the longer the second term ran.
Northcote Park wasted a host of opportunities to break the game open early in the third quarter, managing 1.4 from five scoring shots, and was made to pay as Andrew Carmusciano and Isaac Muller converted against the run of play to bring Bundoora within six points.
The margin hovered for 15 minutes, before late goals to Close and Starcevich gave Northcote Park a handy 19-point lead at the last change.
Goals to Close and Jake Mills in the opening 10 minutes of the last quarter looked to put the Cougars on track for a comfortable finish, however Bundoora refused to surrender.
Two goals to Scott Dowell – who was the Bulls’ best on the day – and another to Carmusciano brought the visitors back within eight points entering time-on.
However the Cougars were able to rally and Close’s fifth major ensured his side remained first on the ladder entering the Queen’s Birthday weekend bye.
Final score: Northcote Park 15.14 (104) def Bundoora 13.11 (89)
