Bundoora claimed the 2013 Division 1 premiership with a remarkable 29-point Grand Final victory over Montmorency.
After trailing by 47 points 17 minutes into the third quarter, the Bulls kicked the final 11 goals in an amazing comeback, to win 17.21 (123) to 13.16 (94) at Preston City Oval.
Facing a 33-point deficit at the final change, they kicked a staggering 9.8 (62) in the final quarter while also holding the Magpies scoreless.
Co-captain Brayden Shaw was adjudged best on ground with a fantastic second half, leading from the front in his side’s charge to the premiership.
Best afield could have been raffled between Gary Moorcroft (six goals), Micheal Farrelly, Michael Mitchell, Cameron Cloke (three goals) or Kent Delbridge who all played sensational games. Moorcroft in particular played consistently well over the four quarters and took arguably the mark of the year in the third term.
The first half was controlled by Montmorency who was able to dominate the clearances, giving their forwards first use of creating scoreboard pressure which they did.
The only genuine first half highlight for Bundoora early came late in the second quarter when Cloke set his sights on goal from 75m out with a huge torpedo that sailed over the goal umpire’s head.
Bundoora appeared tired after playing every week of the finals series, compared to Montmorency who had only played two games of footy in the previous month.
As the wind started to pick up after half time, the Magpies continued to improve their efforts as it appeared Bundoora needed to find a spark.
When Ben Haynes goaled for the Magpies to give them a 47-point lead, it appeared their 34-year premiership drought was on the verge of being broken.
But late goals to Gary Moorcroft, whose mark in the goal square was reminiscent of his famous grab for Essendon in 2001, and Kent Delbridge into the wind brought Bundoora back into the contest.
Bulls coach Phil Plunkett remained adamant his players were capable of another 10-goal last quarter, which they were able to produce last week against Northcote Park in the preliminary final six days earlier.
With a slight breeze behind them to the City end, history unfolded in front of a huge crowd at Preston.
While it may be an overused cliché, the first goal of the quarter can change the morale of any side. Montmorency controlled the start of the first three quarters, kicking the first three goals each time.
But when Shaw kicked the first goal of the last term from outside 50m, the belief was evident in the Bulls players.
Micheal Farrelly then slotted a goal on the run, followed by a commanding Cloke mark and goal and all of a sudden the margin was back to 11 points halfway through the last quarter.
The Magpies were shell shocked. They played a panic, rushed style of football and threw their game plan out the window as they faced the reality of letting the Grand Final slip away from their grasp.
Farrelly continued his final quarter dominance and slotted his second for the quarter and when Moorcroft kicked his fifth for the game, Bundoora led for the first time in the Grand Final in time on of the last quarter.
It was one of those ‘you have to see it to believe it’ moments when full back Trent Barbero gathered the loose ball, ran around a number of Magpie defenders and kicked a great running goal to extend the lead to 11 points.
When Delbridge found a paddock of space in the forward 50 and kicked his second for the game, it was celebration time for Bundoora as it was only minutes away from claiming a historic win.
Montmorency was only able to manage two inside 50s in the last quarter, as it appeared to be trying to save the game rather than attack as it had for the previous three quarters.
The Magpies will be devastated after holding a seemingly match-winning lead to let the game slip with one poor quarter.
Harley Ryan, Mark McKenzie and Shane Tennant were all fighting for best afield honours at three quarter time, along with Wayne Pavitt who kicked four goals for the game.
The victory gave Bundoora its second premiership in three seasons, after taking out the 2011 flag following a 10-point Grand Final win over Heidelberg.
In his first year in charge of the Bulls, it was a fourth premiership as coach for Plunkett, following three flags with Heidelberg between 2007-2009.
In such a competitive season in the top flight, it was only fitting that we’d witness the game of the season in the Grand Final.
Final score: Montmorency 13.16 (94) def by Bundoora 17.21 (123)
