The Bulls could do no wrong in the second half as the piled on 12 goals to five to shoot straight to the top of the Division 1 ladder following the 23.12.150 to 13.10.88 victory.
Skipper Brayden Shaw led from the front kicking four goals and setting up a number of others, and was ably supported by Paul Harrison (five goals) and defenders Matthew Hyde, Ben Shelton and Luke Hyatt who continually denied the Roosters an easy avenue to goal.
Matthew Dennis showed he was more than capable of taking over the number one ruck duties in the wake of John Kreuzer’s departure. Dennis dominated the hitouts and was a constant threat in marking contests around the ground.
For West Preston-Lakeside the only positive to come out of the game was the impressive form of newcomers Kris Bardon, Luke Cotchett and Andrew Luzza.
The trio were clearly their side’s best on a forgettable day and gave a tireless effort despite the lob-sided scoreboard
The Roosters’ cause was not aided by the omission of three vital players, with Anthony Rocca (Collingwood VFL duties), Billy Morrison (overseas) and captain Jake Williams (collarbone) all out of the starting line-up.
Gary Moorcroft (four goals) kicked the opening goal of the game, before West Preston-Lakeside shot out to an eight-point led courtesy of goals to Chas Bromley and Glenn Roberston.
An onslaught from Paul Harrison swung the contest in Bundoora’s favour with the veteran forward playing a hand in four consecutive goals for the home side.
He kicked three – including one from a 150m penalty after marking in his defensive 50m – and handballed one off to Michael Farrelly to establish a 17-point lead.
Goals to Robertson and Cotchett reduced the margin back to five points early in the second term, but the Bulls could not be halted and kicked six goals to four for the remainder of the stanza to head into the main break three goals in front.
After he was well contained by Daniel Bisetto in the first term, Cameron Cloke became a dominant force in the second quarter and took half a dozen marks in his forward half.
The game was effectively over ten minutes into the third quarter after the Bulls kicked the opening four goals after the main break.
It was Shaw who asserted his dominance in this period, kicking two goals and helping to set up Harrison for another.
Down back Shelton was spoiling everything that was presented to West Preston-Lakeside’s forwards, while Hyde showed poise and precision by foot to start numerous thrusts forward from the Bulls’ defensive area.
Ash Bardon kicked a goal against the run of play to give the Roosters a glimmer of hope, but two goals in red time to Moorcroft and David Mitchell killed off the contest.
Moorcroft’s was one for the highlights reel. After marking deep in the left forward pocket, the veteran snapped an effortless checkside from outside the boundary line which left the big crowd astonished.
Already leading by 47-points at the final break, Bundoora ensured it would grab an early percentage-booster when it again kicked the opening four goals of the quarter to race to a 71-point advantage.
Shaw again cashed in with two more goals, including one while hemmed up 50m out on the boundary.
The Roosters were able to gain some respectability late in the game by kicking four of the final six goals, but by that time the Bulls’ players had well and truly taken their foot of the pedal.
Bundoora next week heads to Whittlesea to take on an Eagles’ outfit that fell to Northcote Park by 20 points in Round 1.
Meanwhile, West Preston-Lakeside hosts Macleod at J.E Moore Park. The last time the sides met at the venue it was the visitors who prevailed by 17 points.
Final score: Bundoora 23.12 (150) def West Preston-Lakeside 13.10 (88)
