Heidelberg broke away from a resilient North Heidelberg outfit in their Melbourne Northern Football Netball League Division 1 derby at Warringal Park, to finish with a 20-point triumph.
In what was a tight contest all the way through, the match became defined by the wet conditions that challenged each side to adapt their game plan and possession of the football.
The Tigers took command of the match during the later stages of the second half thanks to their backline pressure and ball use, which allowed them to claim a 6.7 (43) to 2.11 (23) victory.
In their seventh straight triumph, Vin Dattoli’s men maintain their position on top of the ladder while the Bulldogs slip outside of the top five for the first time in a month.
Heidelberg’s core in the midfield again stood tall. Captain Sam Gilmore alongside Brayden Sier, Matthew Smith and Lachlan Wilson were all exceptional with their clearance work, while their tacking pressure created plenty of momentum for the reigning premiers.
Jess Gedi was the catalyst towards the backline’s stability, helping his side stay in the game even after countless forward entries from the opposition.
Despite a second successive loss for North Heidelberg, Liam Hunt became the standout player on the ground from the first bounce, on his way to winning many contests and becoming a force when striding down the middle of the field.
The rest of the midfield became dictated by the play of Brodie White, while performances from Nicholas Matthews, Hamish Murphy and Joshua Hamilton saw them finish among the Bulldogs’ best.
Heidelberg looked dominant in the first term, with a goal from Zane Barzen opening proceedings at Warringal Park.
Isaac Wallace then followed to help his side capitalise on a surge of contests in which they were first to the ball and able to efficiently impact.
The Tigers continued the charge, as Barzen would again find himself as the benefactor of a great passage from his side. His second goal would give the hosts a 17-point advantage at quarter-time.
North Heidelberg showed some promise after a scoreless opening term and gained some reward for the effort through a goal by Liam Hunt after he converted his set shot.
More promise continued to flicker from the Bulldogs, with Majak Daw finding Jhye Baddeley-Kelly open in the goal square, finishing with a simple goal to suddenly reduce the deficit to within a goal.
However, just as the visitors were surging, the Tigers had the final say of the half, thanks to a high-arching snap from Brayden Sier that bent left for a goal to stretch the lead back to double-digits at the main break.
Coming out of halftime, both sides looked down the barrel of a goalless quarter after a tough-fought third term.
Chances at goal came from Heidelberg’s Jonathan Tomasiello and the Bulldogs’ Baddeley-Kelly, but both were unable to convert for their respective sides.
Heading into the final term with a seven-point advantage in their pocket, Vin Datoli’s side was more than determined to finish strong after a quarter that saw possession primarily take place in the visitors’ forward 50.
With 10 minutes remaining and still no goals from either side, Tom Schnerring took hold of a mark on the goal line and kicked a vitally important major for the Tigers.
They were 13 points down, but the game was still in reach for the Bulldogs as they looked to gain some territory.
However, Dylan Clarke had other plans as his shot on goal sailed through the big sticks, helping the reigning premiers finish with another win over their cross-town rivals.
HEIDELBERG: 2.2 4.3 4.4 6.7 (43)
GOALS: Z. Barzen 2, T. Schnerring, I. Wallace, D. Clarke, B. Sier.
BEST: M. Smith, J. Gedi, B. Sier, T. Sullivan, L. Wilson, S. Gilmore.
NORTH HEIDELBERG: 0.3 2.8 2.9 2.11 (23)
GOALS: J. Baddeley-Kelly, L. Hunt.
BEST: L. Hunt, B. White, N. Matthews, H. Murphy, L. Nunan, J. Hamilton.
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