Macleod was victorious in a one-point nail-biter against Bundoora in Round 14 of Meadows Greyhounds Division 1.
The highly-anticipated match up lived up to expectations, with finals-like intensity on show from the outset at a blustery De Winton Park.
Leading by two points heading into the last quarter, Macleod was expected to be run down by a Bundoora side that was kicking with an advantageous wind behind its back.
But the Roos’ never-say-die attitude ensured they weren’t overrun, holding on for a 16.9 (105) to 16.8 (104) victory to remain on top of the ladder.
Shane Doherty and Reid Brandt were instrumental in their side’s win and were the main focal points, combining for 10 of Macleod’s 16 goals in a match that ebbed and flowed.
Co-captain Justin White was prolific across half back and also finished with two goals, while Brad Leggett was the best performed defender of the day.
For Bundoora, Daniel Younan gave the Roos plenty of headaches and also booted five majors.
But while his efforts were important, it was midfield counterparts Nathan Thomas and Liam Byrne who collected plenty of the footy and had a big say on the game, particularly in the second half.
The duo thrived on the ruck dominance of Matthew Dennis, who was as good on the ground as he was aerially, often giving his teammates first use of the ball.
Kicking with a strong wind in the first quarter, Macleod was able to gain an early ascendancy and kicked the first three goals through Brandt and White (two), albeit it wasn’t able to break the deadlock until the nine-minute mark of the game.
A late Daniel Younan set shot gave Bundoora its only goal of the quarter, but despite being 16 points down, the visitors would have been content with their first-quarter effort.
Travis Keating ran into an open goal for the Bulls to start the second term, however Macleod quickly responded at the other end through Doherty.
Bundoora then broke the game open with three goals in three minutes through James Lord, Younan and Dennis to take the lead for the first time in the afternoon.
But while the visitors were hopeful of a half time lead, late goals to Brandt and Doherty once more meant scores were locked at 41 apiece at the main break.
Ball movement in a goal-for-goal third quarter was frantic, with both sides displaying an attacking mindset as intensity greatly increased.
Four goals were exchanged in a three-minute patch midway through the term, where the away team responded to every Macleod effort.
Trailing by 13 points, Bundoora turned the game on its head with four consecutive goals in less than five minutes. The Bulls dominated through the middle and ran hard while kicking into the wind.
However, Reece Geary’s successful set shot after the three quarter time siren was enough for Macleod to hold a slender two-point advantage at the last change.
Macleod appeared to have Bundoora’s measure in the final stanza, kicking four of the first six goals of the quarter. Brandt’s fifth put the home side in front by 13 points as the game entered stoppage time.
But Bundoora dug deep to stay in the contest. Keating kicked his second when left unattended on the goal line before David Mitchell capped off an impressive day by bursting from the resulting centre bounce and putting through a long-range goal.
With one point separating the sides and the ball locked in Bundoora’s forward line for the final two minutes, Macleod was desperate. A Justin White smother and Daniel O’Brien pack mark proved defining as the home side secured its 11th win of the year.
Final score: Macleod 16.9 (105) def Bundoora 16.8 (104)
