Montmorency powered past Bundoora with a 25-point victory in a high scoring affair at Montmorency Park on Saturday.
The Magpies remain a game clear atop the Division 1 ladder with a perfect 5-0 start to the season and continue to firm as early premiership favourites.
In a tightly contested match throughout the first half, the Magpies were able to gain the upper-hand straight after the main break before going on to win 21.13 (139) to 16.18 (114).
On debut, ex-Gold Coast Suns player Alik Magin set the game alight in the second half. He kicked four of his eight goals in the last quarter to put the icing on the cake for Monty.
For Bundoora, it was a game of missed opportunities. The Bulls were never able to string together a run of goals at a ground that has eluded them of victory over the past six years.
Following a quiet first quarter which saw only two goals scored by the Magpies and one goal from the Bulls – a free-flowing game after quarter time allowed the big home crowd to witness their stars remain unbeaten.
Bundoora led by three points at half time after dominating the second quarter with an 11 to seven advantage in shots on goal, but was unable to capitalise and came into the break with a smaller margin than desired.
Shane Tennant may again feature in the coaches’ votes with another fine performance coming out of the Magpies defence with help from Craig Flint, Daniel Coghill and Michael Fitz-Gerald.
Magin – along with new recruits Mark McKenzie, Ryan Willits and Rowan Nayna – all impressed again for Montmorency, adding the extra zip and poise missing from their 2012 finals campaign.
For the Bulls it was Cameron Cloke who led the goal kickers, adding five to his season tally in a game where he could have kicked 10 if his accuracy on goal hadn’t let him down.
Cloke wasn’t alone in regards to inaccuracy in front of goal. The Bulls have now kicked more behinds than goals in three of their five matches this season, including both their losses.
David Mitchell and Adrian Papaluca gathered plenty of the ball for Bundoora while co-captain Brayden Shaw led from the front with relentless attack on the ball and three goals.
While Magin was best afield for the Magpies, Ryan Jackson, Willits, Flint, Alex Chiocci and Chris Burton were all key players in an entertaining game.
Bundoora came into this game looking to find out where they stand in the race for the top spots in a tightly contested Division 1. With loses to Northcote Park and now Montmorency, the Bulls still remain just off the top sides with another true test coming in a few weeks against Heidelberg.
Montmorency on the other hand has now followed up on impressive victories over Greensborough and Heidelberg – proving it is the side to beat early this year with its next big challenge coming in Round 7 against Northcote Park.
This week the Magpies travel across the park to Lower Plenty in a game which they will start red hot favourites. Bundoora heads back to Yulong Reserve to face Macleod who is coming in off a two-game win streak.
Final score: Montmorency 21.13 (139) def Bundoora 16.18 (114)
