A six-goal burst in the second quarter helped West Preston-Lakeside erase a 26-point deficit to win its second match of the season.
The Roosters were outplayed by North Heidelberg for the first quarter and a half. However, they steadied and kicked eight goals in a row either side of half time before going on to win 19.10 (124) to 12.10 (82) at Shelley Reserve.
Ahmed Saad moved to the top of the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 goal kicking table after booting nine goals. He was joined in the Roosters’ best players by Ozgur Uysal, who kicked four goals, and Adam Valeri who as sensational with his work in the midfield
For the Bulldogs, Jake Brown found plenty of the football and won many clearances, while Ryan Storey impressed in his first game of the season.
North Heidelberg got the better start, with goals to Brody and Jesse Tardio within the first three minutes helping to open up an early two-goal advantage.
West Preston-Lakeside hit back through Saad and Uysal, before Shane Harvey ended the quarter on the Dogs’ terms when he nailed his set shot right on the quarter-time siren to give his side a deserved lead.
North Heidelberg continued its momentum into the second quarter as it kicked the first three goals of the term, including two goals in a minute from Brent Harvey.
The Roosters hit back momentarily through Luke Lirosi, but Billy Hogan hit back almost immediately, ensuring North Heidelberg remained in control on the scoreboard.
Some contested passages of play followed during the next few minutes after a hectic start to the term, but the Roosters gradually steadied. The visitors found a major through Liam McVeigh, before another soon after from Alex Federico.
It sparked an onslaught from Rob Maiorana’s side, as Saad went on to kick three of his team’s next four goals to give Roosters a 12-point advantage at the main break.
The half time interval did little to stop West Preston-Lakeside’s charge, with the visitor kicking the opening two goals of the third term to push out to a 24-point lead.
Brent Harvey and Kyle Green got things back on North Heidelberg’s terms with two quick goals, but the comeback was quickly shutdown as the Roosters kicked two of the next three goals to end the term with a handy 18-point lead.
After an improved third term, North Heidelberg remained upbeat in the three-quarter break and had belief in a comeback.
But ill-discipline from Jesse Tardio cost his side a 50m penalty and a certain goal to Uysal. who nailed his third of the match to extend West Preston-Lakeside’s lead to 25 points.
Saad kicked the next two, before Uysal booted his fourth, to stretch the away side’s lead out to a game-high 44 points.
North Heidelberg’s disappointing last term was compounded by a double 50m penalty against Brent Harvey, which resulted in the AFL games record holder receiving a yellow card.
A couple of goal exchanges saw out the final term, with the Roosters finishing 42-point winners to claim their second away victory of the season, propelling them into second place on the ladder.
West Preston-Lakeside makes the short trip to Northcote Park in Round 4, while North Heidelberg travels to Greensborough looking to end a two-game losing streak.
Final score: North Heidelberg 12.10 (82) def by West Preston-Lakeside 19.10 (124)
