Football: Bulls buck trend to break duck

Harvey Bulls produced a five-goal-to-one final quarter to stun Donnybrook by eight points and post their first victory of the season on Sunday.

The Bulls trailed by 16 points at three-quarter time but finished full of running and powered to the 11.16 (82) to 11.8 (74) triumph at VC Mitchell Park.

After being cleared from Eaton last month, Daniel Davis booted four goals for the Bulls while Shane Cristaldi and Daniel Billson both finished with four for the Dons.

Two of Davis’ majors came early in the final term when the game was in the balance, slashing the margin to less than one straight kick.

When Greg Sanders ran into an open goal midway through the last quarter, the Bulls had the lead for the first time.

New signing Rudy Riddoch did some good things for Harvey while David Faulkner, Ryan Mooney and Brett Lofthouse were also influential.

Although Ryan Blount kicked a steadier for the Dons, when Aaron Jetta snapped truly and Sanders goaled from a set shot the Bulls were home.

Harvey’s triumph was soured a little after onballer Nick Carney headed to hospital for scans on his knee after a strong contest on the wing with Donnybrook’s Hayden King, who was reported.

Curtis Guglielmana was everywhere while Shane Cristaldi was electric when switched into the midfield during the third quarter.

Donnybrook appeared on course for a comfortable victory at quarter time.

Billson was in everything up forward and slotted three majors but the Bulls increased their attack on the ball after the first change and played the game on their terms.

Riddoch racked up a plethora of possessions as the Bulls started to win the clearances and trailed by a manageable 14 points at half-time.

Harvey utility Germs was competing well at the stoppages while Mooney was having an impact on the ball.

Despite booting a wasteful 2.6 in the third quarter, the Bulls took their chances in the last to hit the front.

Scoreboard

Harvey Bulls 1.4 4.7 6.13 11.16 82 def Donnybrook 6.1 7.3 10.5 11.8 74

Goals:

HARVEY BULLS – D. Davis 4, G. Sanders, A. Jetta 2, R. Riddoch, N. Fucile.

DONNYBROOK – S. Cristaldi, D. Billson 4, M. Vanderklashorst, R. Cross, R. Blount.

Best:

HARVEY BULLS – B. Lofthouse, R. Mooney, D. Faulkner, D. Davis, R. Riddoch, K. Germs, M. Hill.

DONNYBROOK – C. Guglielmana, S. Cristaldi, D. Billson, M. Kokir, B. Giudici, R. Blount.