North Heidelberg again established itself as the team to beat in A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 with a commanding 50-point victory over Lower Plenty.
After a competitive first half, it was an eight-goal to three second half that separated the sides in the Bulldogs’ 16.10 (106) to 8.8 (56) victory.
The win maintained North Heidelberg’s six-point gap on top of the ladder, having now gone 12 consecutive games without a loss. Lower Plenty clings on to fourth spot on percentage.
The Harvey brothers put on another unbelievable show for the visitors, kicking 12 goals between them, including some miraculous efforts from the boundary.
Brody Tardio and Ryan Storey were also impressive through the midfield, with their pressure on the ball immense.
Ciaran Porter, Lachlan McLeod and Jordan Sacco were the best on a tough day for the Bears, who only managed four goals after quarter time with key forward Darcy Barden kept goalless for the first time this season.
It was an even battle throughout the first quarter with both sides keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Shane Harvey was able to kick the first goal of the match after a scrappy eight minutes, before Patrick Flynn and Tom Keys kicked goals in quick succession to give the Bears the lead midway through the term.
It was goal for goal for the rest of the quarter, with Ben Paterson’s late set shot giving the home side a three-point lead at quarter time.
A bit of heat began to rise as the second quarter commenced with the Bulldogs beginning to find some momentum.
Brody Tardio slotted a nice goal to open his account for the afternoon, before Brent Harvey went on a rampage kicking two majors, including a brilliant run from 50m out to give the Bulldogs the lead.
Keys kicked his second for the home side to steady the ship but that was before Brent Harvey converted his fourth and Mitchell Dillon found the big sticks to give the visitors a 16-point lead at the main break.
Aiming to put the pressure back on the ladder-leaders, the Bears came out full steam ahead at the start of the third term.
Lachlan McLeod took a brilliant contested mark and converted to bring the margin back to single figures.
However that is where the momentum stopped for Lower Plenty as, led by the Harvey brothers, the Bulldogs went on to kick five of the next six goals.
The run including four incredible goals from Shane Harvey to extend the margin to 36 points at three quarter time.
It was North Heidelberg again who had full control of the last quarter, with its pressure in the midfield and forward 50 forcing Lower Plenty to rush kicks and ultimately turn over the ball.
The Bulldogs kicked three of the last four goals of the match to run out deserving 50-point winners.
North Heidelberg face another fellow top-four sides when it takes on the Fitzroy Stars at Shelley Reserve in Round 15.
It doesn’t get easier for Lower Plenty who takes on second-placed Diamond Creek, needing to win to keep a hold of its top-four spot.
Final score: Lower Plenty 8.8 (56) def by North Heidelberg 16.10 (106)
