Montmorency’s three-game winning streak has come to an end this week following a 10-point loss to Bundoora under lights.
The Magpies appeared to be caught off-guard by the fast-paced Bundoora outfit, who sliced through the middle of the ground to deliver to their key forwards.
Bundoora forwards Tom Hughes and Daniel Younan were targets, but the Bulls were only able to score the one major for the quarter.
Inaccurate kicking from Bundoora minimised the potential damage, with eight behinds being scored in the first term.
Despite these misses, Montmorency’s defensive structure held while under siege.
A diving spoil in the goal square from Zachary Smith saved a certain goal, while Bill Jenkin displayed composure under pressure and strong leadership directing the back six.
Although struggling to get the ball into their 50, fluid movement late in the quarter gave Magpies Patrick Fitzgerald and Luke Collins one goal apiece.
Montmorency Coach Ben Haynes said at the quarter time address the Magpies had “got out of jail” thanks to Bundoora’s inaccuracy, and stressed his players needed to increase their intensity going into the next quarter.
The tide began to turn early in the second term, with a penetrating kick from Zachary Smith giving Alex Potter a goal to put Montmorency in the lead.
Luke Collins also starred up forward, adding another goal to his name.
But a rampaging Bulls midfield, spearheaded by ruckman Matty Dennis, enabled Tom Hughes to boot two majors in rapid succession.
Montmorency’s work rate was heightened through the work of Patrick Fitzgerald, who after slotting another goal, went straight into the ruck.
Roving his own ball, Fitzgerald allowed a lunging Anthony Bernardi his first goal for the game – his precise kicking putting Montmorency nine points in front.
Yet three 50 metre penalties in a row gave Bundoora a certain goal late in the term, narrowing the margin to three points at half time.
Bundoora got the first score of the second half with a snap from the boundary from key forward Daniel Younan.
At times Montmorency looked dangerous, but a subsequent lapse in pressure gave Bundoora another two quick goals, extending their lead further.
While the ball was locked in Montmorency’s forward 50 thanks to the relentless push of Stephen McCallum and rebounding efforts of Bobby Lamanna, the Magpies were unable to score.
The scrappy affair was finally broken when Bundoora tore through Montmorency’s unprotected centre.
Although unable to convert any majors, the ball remained in Bundoora’s 50 for the latter half of the term.
Montmorency’s defence again was solid, with Kye Declase and Bill Jenkin standing tall in high pressure situations.
It was not until the 22-minute mark that the smooth-moving Wyatt De Gassick snapped Montmorency’s only goal for the term, narrowing the margin to ten points at the quarter’s end.
“One thing is going to win us this game, and that’s work rate,” said Montmorency Coach Ben Haynes to his players at the three quarter time address.
Although a lift in pressure was evident early on, Bundoora goalsneak Isaac Muller booted the first major of the final quarter.
Montmorency skipper Jesse Donaldson showed he was all class, skilfully avoiding tackles and amassing four inside 50s in the fourth quarter alone.
Despite Donaldson’s efforts, it was not until the seventh entry into Montmorency’s 50 that saw Patrick Fitzgerald slot his third.
Soon after, another Luke Collins major resulted, which saw his day end with three goals.
Montmorency fans were ecstatic when a quick-fire clearance snap from Kye Declase brought the Magpies within 4 points.
As the ball rocketed from end to end, with close opportunities for both sides, it was a final goal from Daniel Younan that sealed the game.
Montmorency backman Bill Jenkin said that the loss “[wasn’t] so much a backward step”, rather a lack of consistency shown today.
“Ben [Haynes] before the game talked a lot about work rate and outworking, and today was just the case that we just got outworked. It was our work rate that cost us,” said Jenkin.
Despite a chance for a steal, Jenkin said the defeat was “a pretty good reality check”.
“When you’re winning these kinds of games you come off the ground and think things must be working well, but I think when you do actually see it on the scoreboard and realise we’re losing games it becomes black and white,” Jenkin said.
Jenkin praised the leadership of Captain Jesse Donaldson and Stephen McCallum, who were influential across the field.
“There were definitely a lot of positives to take out of today, it’s just that consistent fourth quarter effort we need to look at,” said Jenkin.
Following the bye, Montmorency will face Heidelberg in the hopes of securing their fourth win for the season.
FINAL SCORE: Montmorency 10.5 (65) defeated by Bundoora 10.15 (75)
BEST: Jenkin, Collins, Fitzgerald, McCallum, Donaldson, Declase
Comments