Bundoora will face off against Macleod in the 2017 Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 grand final after a gutsy 10-point win over Northcote Park.
In the league’s best preliminary final since 2012, the Bulls booted five of the final six goals to overhaul a 17-point deficit in the 9.13 (67) to 8.9 (57) result at Preston City Oval.
It was the Bulls’ star forwards who got their side across the line, with Danny Younan, Gary Moorcroft and Isaac Muller kicking goals in the final 10 minutes.
Neither side took a backward step in the bruising and enthralling contest, where no more than 11 points separated the teams at any quarter break.
Bundoora’s back six held up superbly as it won through to its first grand final since 2013. Ben Shelton kept Jackson Starvevich goalless in his return to the Northcote Park line-up, while Scott Dowell, Brendan Carlyon and Ben Young each produced strong showings.
The Bulls backline withstood waves of pressure in the opening 20 minutes, keeping Northcote Park to just five behinds with the aid of a handy breeze.
Bundoora kicked the opening two goals against the run of play, with those majors to Nathan Thomas and Nick Grabowski proving pivotal in the end.
Despite the strong start, the Bulls had looked on the ropes late in the third quarter after a Jordan Perry-inspired Northcote Park booted five unanswered goals to open up a match-high 17-point lead.
However, a goal to Thomas on the three-quarter time siren brought the Bulls within two goals with the wind in their backs in the final term.
Gary Moorcroft cut the deficit to just five points when he converted a set shot in the opening 80 seconds of the fourth quarter.
Northcote Park responded when Julian Violato (three goals) snapped a major from close range in the fourth minute.
The Cougars defended valiantly for the next ten minutes, before Younan broke the deadlock with a goal from the pocket.
Bundoora took the lead at the 21-minute mark after Moorcroft pounced on a spilled ball and bounced through a goal from 45m.
The win was sealed when Muller won a free at the top of the goal square two minutes later and converted.
Bundoora may enter the grand final as the underdog given Macleod’s outstanding form in the back half of the season, however history will be on the Bulls’ side. Each of the past five Division 1 premiers have come via the preliminary final.
It was a shattering defeat for Northcote Park, who came within five minutes of its first grand final since 2012.
Matt McLennan’s side was gallant in defeat and bounced back superbly after being beaten by 106 points in the second semi final.
Gerard Sutton was a standout in defence, while Tyson Old’s dash off half back provided plenty of excitement. Julian Violato was the game’s most dangerous forward and Ricky Fandrich was lively.
Jordan Perry’s third term almost single-handedly propelled his side to a win. The star on baller kicked two outstanding goals – the pick of which was a booming effort from 50m on the boundary line.
Final score: Northcote Park 8.9 (57) def by Bundoora 9.13 (67)
