BUNDOORA proved why it is one of the leading Division 1 premiership favourites, overcoming a poor start to run out a 26-point victor over Macleod in wet conditions at De Winton Park in Round 5.
Despite trailing by as much as 38 points early in the second quarter, the Bulls began getting their hands on the ball first and were able to use it more efficiently than their opponents in the second half, as they went on win convincingly 14.8 (92) to 9.12 (66).
Macleod got off to a brilliant start, but couldn’t maintain it against a desperate Bundoora outfit, as it collapsed after the first quarter to only kick another three goals for the match.
Despite the pre-match loss of key trio Ricky Dyson, Matthew Dennis and Kent Delbridge, the Bulls used their experience to get to the contest first and play the tougher footy for the next three quarters to get over the line.
Macleod was able to get the day off to the perfect start, kicking the first goal of the game through in-form midfielder Hamish Paynter. But the Bulls replied straight away after David Mitchell kicked a good running goal to get them back within two points.
The remainder of the first term belonged to Macleod, as it piled on five unanswered goal to run out the quarter a 31-point leader. The home side was getting its hands on the ball first and was a lot tougher than the Bulls in the contested battles.
A lift was expected from the Bulls, but that looked unlikely upon resumption of play as the Roos continued to get first use of the ball from the middle of the ground early in the second term.
They piled pressure onto the Bulls backline and Matt Pow goaled to extend the already convincing Macleod lead to 38 points five minutes into the second term.
The Bulls slowly managed to stem the flow of play and replied through Mitchell who kicked his second. This started a shift of momentum in the Bulls’ favour, as they kicked the next three goals of the term to trail by just 15 points at the main break.
The Bulls now seemed to have all the drive and were using their experience to win the tough contests in not too pleasant conditions. They were dominating the Roos in every aspect of the game, with the hosts seeming unable to counter the change to the Bulls’ style of play.
As the heavens started to open up around De Winton Park, so too did the flow of Bundoora goals. The term started slowly, with neither team able to take control of the game. But as the quarter wore on, the Bulls started to assert their dominance.
It started with some Cameron Cloke brilliance, as last year’s Frank Rosbrook Trophy winner kicked an inspiring goal to get the visitors within seven points of the slowing Macleod.
His Bulls teammates then followed his lead as the goals started to flow. The Bulls went on to kick the next five goals of the quarter to race out to a 26-point lead heading into the final term.
It was a poor third quarter from Macleod, who only salvaged one behind for the term. The Roos could not match the Bulls’ intensity for the contested footy and it showed on the scoreboard as Bundoora blasted them off the ground.
The final term saw the Bulls kick the first two in quick succession to halt any chance of a Macleod fight back.
A much improved performance in the final 10 minutes of the game enabled Macleod to kick the two final goals of the game to reduce the final margin. But it was too little too late as the Bulls went on to record a big win.
Bundoora was superbly led by Cloke, Trent Barbero and Joseph Palazzolo. The Roos best in a tough loss were defender Brad Leggett, Paynter and Cathal Corr.
The Bulls now take on undefeated Heidelberg in a top of the table clash at Yulong Reserve. Macleod takes to the road to tackle the winless Eltham at Eltham Central Reserve.
Final score: Macleod 9.12 (66) def by Bundoora 14.8 (92)
