MONTMORENCY, VIC. — Heidelberg delivered a premiership statement in the weekend’s standalone Northern Football Netball League’s Division 1 clash against Montmorency.
Facing the second-placed Magpies, the Tigers turned a tight opening quarter into a one-sided affair, powering away to a dominant 62-point victory to further strengthen their hold on top spot.
MONTMORENCY: 3.4 5.5 9.9 14.9 (93)
GOALS: Matthew Clark 5, Lachy Batchelor 2, Jackson Bowne 2, Ben Davis 2, Corey Sleep 2, Nicolas Uzelac
BEST: Matthew Clark, William Jenkin, William Bella, Corey Sleep.
HEIDELBERG: 4.2 12.7 17.12 23.17 (155)
GOALS: Jack Andrew 6, Kai Kearns 5, Tom Keys 3, Jordan Smith 3, Jess Gedi, Nathan Honey, Jack McKenna, Roman Moxon, Josh Shepherd, Brody Tardio.
BEST: Tom Keys, Nathan Honey, Luke Bunker, Sean Martin, Matthew Signorello, Jack Andrew.
There were touching scenes before the game as both sides ran through a joint banner and held a moment of silence in honour of Epping player Nathan Fitzgerald, who tragically passed away last week.
Although the Tigers took a four-point lead into the first break, they got on top and broke the game open in the second term, booting eight goals to two to stamp their authority on the contest. Heidelberg’s lead had ballooned to 44 points by halftime.
From there, the benchmark side of Division 1 didn’t look back, winning the second half with eleven goals to Montmorency’s nine to record the eleventh win of the season.
Heidelberg’s midfield was once again led by Tom Keys, who delivered a remarkable all-round performance with 35 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals. Dylan Clarke was equally influential, collecting 32 disposals, 10 inside 50s and eight clearances, while Luke Bunker continued his outstanding season with 28 disposals, 11 inside 50s and eight clearances.
The Tigers’ forwards capitalised on the midfield’s dominance. Jack Andrew was a constant threat, finishing with six goals from 14 disposals, while Kai Kearns booted five majors from 17 disposals in another excellent display.
For Montmorency, Marcus Lentini made an immediate impact in his return from overseas, gathering 30 disposals and six inside 50s, while Matthew Clark battled hard in attack, kicking five goals from eight disposals despite the Magpies being outgunned for most of the afternoon.
All teams will be back in action in Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 next week, with Heidelberg taking on West Preston-Lakeside as Montmorency heads to Beverley Road Reserve to play Banyule.
