The out of sorts Roosters stood half a chance in a torrential pour down. Though, out of luck Heidelberg maintained the theory that your will must always be stronger than your skill.
It was a very slow start for both teams, with neither side able to make any sort of good headway in the first quarter.
The Tigers stuck to their structures and were good around the stoppages but failed when entering the forward 50m. Their long bombs only went as far ex-Collingwood defender Simon Prestigiacomo.
The Roosters had difficulties of their own. Unable to apply any real forward pressure, their rebounds were supressed and a majority of their efforts were broken down across the half forward flank.
Heidelberg missed some early opportunities and was finally able to convert through good team work but the Roosters were quick to respond with a fantastic mark at the top of the goal square by Bill Morrison, who kicked truly.
With a mere point between the two teams at quarter time, the game was up for grabs.
Jess Sinclair was influential with his run and carry across half back, eventually setting up an impressive coast to coast goal via Tigers forward Dale Nolan.
West Preston-Lakeside produced what only can be described as a very scrappy goal when Shaun Gannon wobbled one through on the boundary to level the scores.
The skies opened halfway into the second quarter and the ball became a bar of soap. Basic mistakes were made by both sides as the ground became more of a mud wrestle arena and the crowd retreated to their warm cars.
The continual pressure by the Tigers was impressive in such horrible conditions. They attacked hard, putting their heads over the ball and were led by great example from ruckman Michael Finn and Josh Houlihan.
The Roosters defence was solid but too much was left upon them as Heidelberg’s midfield began to get on top.
Matthew Vasilevski proved the utility for the home side capable of taking good pack marks and squeezing out kicks from stoppages.
But even the fantastic efforts of Vasilevski couldn’t stop an inspiring passage of play by the Tigers which resulted in Caleb Tiller dribbling one through. It was high fives all round for the Tigers.
When the half time siren sounded at J.E Moore Park both teams were eager to get into the rooms and wring dry their jumpers.
West Preston-Lakeside rallied early in the second half, led by Luke Cotchett and Adam McKenzie who both stepped up to the task.
The Roosters were more effective in their kicking and were on top in the contested possession count.
The home side looked lively when they were able to peg back a superb early goal, but the Tigers fought back tooth in nail and respond with marvellous soccer goal through the mud by captain Blair Harvey.
The three-quarter time huddle was unsurprisingly not well attended. Fans were happy to watch from the safety of their cars with the windscreen wipers on full blast as the rain continued to pelt down.
The lights were turned on as the players jogged back from their huddles keen to have a crack in the last quarter with Heidelberg leading by 13 points.
The Tigers were the first to hit the scoreboard, making the task for the Roosters all the more tougher.
George Nabbout was creative for the Tigers breaking lines and providing good service to his forwards.
The Roosters were unable to force their way back into the game, as the strong defence of the Tigers held their end of the deal whilst their midfield willed themselves to win.
It was a much needed win for the Tigers off the back of some soul searching weeks, whilst the Roosters will need to go back to the drawing board.
Heidelberg held onto fourth spot after the win and now faces Whittlesea at home, while West Preston-Lakeside will take on Lower Plenty also at home.
Final score: West Preston-Lakeside 6.7 (43) def by Heidelberg 9.9 (63)
