Montmorency and Heidelberg match ends in nail-biting draw

120 minutes of intense, entertaining, and breathtaking football couldn’t separate the two best sides in the Northern Football Netball League’s Division 1 competition, as Montmorency and Heidelberg shared the points at Montmorency Park North Oval.

Remarkably, the Magpies led from the opening moments until the 28th minute of the final term, as a last-minute set shot conversion from the Tigers’ Kai Kearns helped produce the 10.12 (72) to 10.12 (72) result.

It’s Montmorency’s second draw of the 2023 season, and Heidelberg’s first draw (after regular time) since the 2022 Second Semi-Final. It means the two-point gap between the two sides remains, with the reigning premiers maintaining top spot.

Barzen led from full-forward and had a ball dribbled to his feet, using its momentum to flick it over his head with his back to goal.

However, the rapturous celebration was short-lived, as 19-year-old Montmorency forward Jarred Seiter surged directly from the centre bounce to finish from 30 metres out on the run.

Mitchell Honeychurch immediately followed suit with a stunning 50m kick whilst hugging the boundary line. He would then kick another just two minutes later, capping off a frantic six minutes of football, in which five goals were scored.

As Montmorency captain Sam Binion charged to an inspiring chase-down tackle in front of the packed pavilion of Magpies faithful, the men in black and white looked on the verge on kicking out of sight, however, a resilient Heidelberg kept them at bay.

The Tigers saw out the rest of the quarter with three goals to Montmorency’s two and kept in touch to trail by 15 at the main break.

The third term produced an intensity of stoppages, with Liam Wale-Buxton gruellingly battling against Coaches MVP Award leader Sam Gilmore.

Chances dried up after a free-flowing previous quarter, with contested ball winner Marcus Lentini relishing his time in the congestion.

Heidelberg chipped away at the lead through goals from Kai Kearns and Zane Barzen, but Chubb’s fourth major ensured Montmorency would remain in front by nine points at three-quarter time.

With the top spot up for grabs, each team desperately lunged into every contest.

The hosts struck first through clinical transitional football which landed the ball into the assured hands of Patrick Fitzgerald.

But as they looked close to victory, Montmorency gave away a 50-metre penalty to Tom Schnerring who reduced the margin to single digits.

Jesse Thompson stood up for the Magpies’ defence and prevented multiple Heidelberg goals, but as the rushed behinds accumulated, Heidelberg would find themselves trailing by just six points into time on.

Desperation ensued as the siren loomed, and in the chaos, Kai Kearns was pushed in the back just 40 metres out, providing a set shot directly in front of the Montmorency clubhouse.

The rival supporters did not rattle him, and he composedly lined up and tied the match in the 28th minute.

As Heidelberg won the following centre clearance, the ball bobbled precariously goalward amidst desperate forwards and defenders alike.

19-year-old Jess Gedi attempted an awkward snap to take the lead, but the Montmorency pressure forced it wide and out of bounds.

The final siren sounded moments later just 15 metres out from the Heidelberg goal, cementing an astonishing draw between the competition’s two leading sides.

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MONTMORENCY:   2.4   8.7   9.11   10.12 (72)
GOALS: J. Chubb 4, P. Fitzgerald 2, M. Honeychurch 2, J. Seiter, J. Jones.
BEST: L. Wale-Buxton, S. Binion, J. Chubb, J. Robinson, J. Steele, J. Thompson.

HEIDELBERG:   1.3    6.4    8.6    10.12 (72)
GOALS: Z. Barzen 3, K. Kearns 2, M. Smith, M. Jorgensen, T. Schnerring, I. Wallace, J. Tomasiello.
BEST: I. Wallace, M. Smith, B. Tardio, J. Gedi, J. Rule, M. McInerney.

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