Late burst seals Bulls’ win


Published on Sunday, April 9, 2017

Author : Jarrad Gardner

Bundoora started its season in perfect fashion, defeating reigning premier Heidelberg by 10 points at Warringal Park in Round 1.

The Bulls fought off numerous Heidelberg attacks in the final term to record the 12.11 (83) to 11.7 (73) win.

In his first game as Bundoora playing-coach Ricky Dyson was impressed with his side’s resilience under pressure during a tough last quarter.

“It was a full four-quarter game of footy, where the game was in the balance the whole time,” Dyson said.

“It’s nice to have one of them early and come away with a good win.”

Todd Hughes was instrumental up forward in the win, kicking three goals, two of which came in a three-minute burst midway through the final term.

He got to celebrate his first win in Bundoora colours alongside fellow newcomers Kris Bardon and Scott Dowell, all of whom drew praise from the coach post-match.

“They’re three brilliant people that have come into our football club and they’ve really had an impact on the group on the field and off it,” Dyson said.

For Heidelberg, Lachlan Wilson was a standout, kicking three goals in a best-on-ground performance for the losing side.

Adam Symes was the only other multiple goal scorer for the Tigers, also booting three majors.

The sides went goal for goal early in the match, before Brendan Carlyon slotted a running goal to give the away side an eight-point lead at the first break.

The scoring slowed for both sides in the second term, and although it was the Bulls doing all the attacking, they couldn’t convert on the scoreboard, kicking just 1.5 for the quarter.

It was goal-for-goal footy once again early in the second half, with neither side able to break away.

Tigers young gun Wilson was influential late in the third term, kicking two goals to put the Tigers ahead for the first time since the first quarter.

A Liam Byrne miss on the siren cut the Tigers advantage to one point heading into the final term.

As the rain began to fall, it looked as though it would be hard for both sides to score in the last quarter.

However, a clinical display in front of goals from the Bulls, kicking 5.1, was highlighted by big man Isaac Muller slotting a long range shot from the boundary to seal the match.

Dyson credited his side for being able to convert their opportunities when it mattered most.

“We missed a few opportunities early but it’s good to fight back once you’ve been headed in the last quarter and the other team hits the front.”

In Round 2 the Bulls will host Whittlesea at Yulong Reserve while the Tigers, after two consecutive losses, will look to open their 2017 account in a grand final rematch against Macleod.

Final score: Heidelberg 11.7 (73) def by Bundoora 12.11 (83)

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