Heidelberg moved into fifth spot on the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 ladder after downing fierce rival Greensborough by 11 points in Round 3.
The Tigers led all day and held of a last-quarter fightback from the Boro to win 10.6 (66) to 7.13 (55) at Warringal Park. The result handed the Boro their first loss of the season and ensured that no side in the top flight remained undefeated after three rounds.
Tigers captain Michael Brunelli and midfielder Lachlan Wilson were superb in the middle, while Aaron Crispe produced a strong showing. Harrison Payne again impressed for the home side and finished with a team-high three majors.
Jack Johnston and Jacob Ireland (three goals) were best in defeat for the Boro, who slipped from first to fourth place on the ladder.
Callum Lewis got Heidelberg off to a fast start with the first two majors of the game. His first was a long bomb from outside 50, before crumbing a pack and snapping truly for his second.
Jordan Treloar stretched the margin to 16 points midway through the first term, but it was short-lived, with young Greensborough forward Tynan Smith responding to give the Boro their first of the day.
A silky snap from Payne late in the quarter saw the Tigers go into quarter time with a handy 16-point lead.
After a sluggish start, Greensborough showed improvement in the second quarter and was able to put through the first goal when Billy Bedford converted from outside 50, cutting the margin to 10 points.
Greensborough made it two in a row when Brody Tickell set up Jacob Ireland for his first of the day, to bring the visitors within five points.
The Tigers snatched one back when they kicked their only goal for the quarter thanks to a brilliant banana from Payne, before a second goal from Smith saw Greensborough move back within five points at the main break.
Chaz Sargeant – Heidelberg’s match-winner from the week prior – kicked the opening goal of the third term, before Ireland answered for the visitors by squeezing the ball past the post for his second.
That would be Greensborough’s highlight for the quarter, as Heidelberg piled on the next three goals in a dominant 10-minute period.
Sam Grimley started the run of majors when he ran into an open goal. The next came from some brilliant ruck work from Sam Gilmore, who helped set up Mathew Pianto for a sensational snap goal.
Payne added his third goal of the day from a long bomb from outside 50, giving the Tigers a 22-point lead at the final change.
Looking to keep its unbeaten record intact, Greensborough came out firing in the last quarter and got on top in the midfield battle.
Michael Croxford, Johnston and Nick Riddle also lifted, but wayward kicking at goal saw the visitors waste a lot of opportunities to snatch the game.
Ireland opened the scoring for the quarter, kicking a goal off the ground to reduce the margin to 17 points early in the final term.
Behinds from Johnston and Chris Clark didn’t help the visitors’ cause, and the Boro were made to pay as Heidelberg countered with Grimley taking a pack mark and putting the game out of reach with his second major.
A late intercept and goal from Zac McCubbin gave Greensborough a glimmer of hope but it was Heidelberg who hung on to win its second match in a row.
Final score: Heidelberg 10.6 (66) def Greensborough 7.13 (55)
