Last week’s 33-point loss to Heidelberg looks to have put an end to Bundoora’s minor premiership aspirations, and the Bulls will have to rebound quickly as Northcote Park hones in on third place on the ladder.
Facing a tough final three weeks of the season, which includes away games against Eltham and Montmorency in the final fortnight, Bundoora still has some work to do to secure a double chance in the finals.
The Bulls began the season with six consecutive wins but have since won just four of their past nine matches, which includes a 21-point loss to the Cougars when the sides last met at Bill Lawry Oval in Round 7.
Of concern, last year’s premiers hold a 2-4 record against their fellow top-five opposition and have now lost to each of their top-five compatriots in their most recent encounters. The last time Bundoora beat a side currently sitting inside the top half of the ladder was back in Round 6, when it accounted for an undermanned Heidelberg by 10 points.
The Bulls looked to be back in form following a thumping 120-point win over a Lower Plenty in Round 13, which was followed by a convincing 45-point win over Greensborough in heavy conditions a week later.
However, even with Cameron Cloke returning, they lacked their usual polish last week as they were soundly beaten by a Heidelberg side missing key players Blair Harvey and Dale Nolan.
The Tigers led by as much as 50 points early in the final term before the Bulls added some respectability to the scoreboard with three late goals. Fortunately, Bundoora made the most of its forward 50m entries and booted an accurate 14 goals from 17 shots on goal.
Brayden Shaw and Gary Moorcroft were admirable in defeat, booting six goals apiece, but the fact that the Bulls could manufacture just two more goals from outside the duo would be a concern.
But despite the current gloom, a win over the Cougars on Saturday would all but secure a top-three finish and provide great confidence heading into September.
While the side is currently down on form, it would be outright negligent to dismiss a team with a core that features the likes of Cloke, Moorcroft, Shaw, Dennis, Farrelly and Mitchell. If the Bulls can claim a double chance in the finals, there is no doubting they have the talent and belief to defend their 2011 crown.
Northcote Park continued its late-season resurgence last week, booting 11 goals to five after half-time to defeat West Preston-Lakeside by 30 points at J.E. Moore Park.
Mitch Papas booted five majors, taking his tally to 17 from the past five weeks, while Paul Scanlon and Anthony Hogan continued their dominant form.
Impressively, the Cougars’ youngsters also stood up in the crucial victory, with Brock McLennan named in the best for the second consecutive week and Kane Slater stepping up from the under-19s to boot two important goals.
There is now genuine belief emanating from the Cougars camp, having beaten each of Heidelberg, Bundoora and West Preston-Lakeside this season and running Montmorency within a goal at Para Rd. It is astonishing to think that the same side sat eighth on the ladder just five weeks ago after being smashed by Whittlesea in Round 10.
A lot has changed since mid-June, most notably up forward where an attack that was once believed to have little potency now has a number of avenues to goal. Northcote Park has averaged 100 points over the past five weeks, ranked equal-first with Montmorency.
Its backline is not only shutting down opposition attacks, it is also providing plenty of drive and precision, with Hogan and Nick Carter in scintillating form, along with Ben McNiece who is having a super season deep in defence and could potentially get first crack at Moorcroft today.
With form taken into account, very little separates the sides heading into this week’s encounter. Despite the Bulls’ troubles of late, they are still capable of beating anyone in the competition and may be just one good performance away from returning to their best form ahead of September.
And given the football Northcote Park has been producing over the past month, only the Bulls’ best will be enough to claim the points in a season-defining game for both clubs.
Past four meetings – Bundoora 3, Northcote Park 1
Round 7, 2012: Northcote Park 12.16 (88) def Bundoora 10.7 (67)
Round 18, 2011: Northcote Park 14.7 (91) def by Bundoora 18.12 (120)
Round 9, 2011: Bundoora 14.15 (99) def Northcote Park 11.13 (79)
Round 17, 2010: Bundoora 11.10 (76) def Northcote Park 10.13 (73)
