Greensborough took a major step towards securing the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 minor premiership with a gripping 12-point win over North Heidelberg.
In a game played with finals-like intensity, the Boro held off multiple challenges from the Bulldogs to prevail 11.9 (75) to 9.9 (63) at Greensborough War Memorial Park.
The home side led for much of the day but fell behind at the 15-minute mark of the final term when Brent Harvey converted from the goal line following a 50m penalty.
However, goals to Tynan Smith and John Desmond in time-on ensured the Boro got back on the winners’ list following last week’s two-point defeat against Heidelberg.
The result improved Greensborough’s record to 12-1 and kept them eight points and 45.09 percent above the second-placed Tigers with five rounds to play. They will need to just win three of their remaining matches to finish the season in first place.
North Heidelberg remains in third place but has slipped sixth points behind Heidelberg. The Bulldogs are still 10 points clear of fourth-placed West Preston-Lakeside and look destined to take a double-chance into September for the second-consecutive season.
Charlie Molyneux, Tom Bell and Chris Clark continued their exceptional form and were instrumental in Greensborough’s win, while Adrian Cataldo and Billy Bedford held the fort in defence in the absence of Nick Riddle – with Cataldo keeping Shane Harvey goalless.
Liam Read made a welcome return after missing last week’s defeat and had an absorbing battle against Michael Florance in the ruck. Read received strong support from Josh Riddle in his first game of the season, with the veteran relishing the heavy conditions.
Ryan McGhie, Mitch Dillon and Brandon Bailey were resolute in defence for North Heidelberg, while Jesse Tardio and Billy Hogan found plenty of the ball through the midfield.
Shane Biggs was the most dangerous forward on the ground and finished with a game-high three goals. His third was the best of the day – slotting a set shot from the 50m arc on the boundary to put his side within a kick during the last quarter.
With heavy wind blowing across the ground, both sides struggled to adapt to the swirly conditions in the early stages.
Just six behinds were kicked in the opening term, before Tynan Smith kicked the first goal after the quarter time siren after taking a courageous mark running back with the flight of the ball.
North Heidelberg kicked its opening goal in the third minute of the second term after Leigh Gilbert converted a set shot from deep in the pocket. It sparked a three-goal blitz, with Biggs and Brent Harvey adding two more in the next two minutes to open a nine-point lead.
Stunned by the visitors’ onslaught, Greensborough worked hard to get back into the contest. The Boro pegged one back when Molyneux converted after a fantastic mark running into traffic, before another shortly after from Jason Rogers gave the home side back the lead.
Late goals to Zak McCubbin and Ben Pannam gave the Boro the ascendency going into half time and they continued the momentum after the main break, with another to Brody Tickell opening up a 19-point advantage.
With the game slipping away, North Heidelberg responded emphatically. As they did in the second term, the Bulldogs piled on three consecutive goals in eight minutes to close within a point.
The last quarter was one for the ages and a precursor to what could be in store at Preston City Oval in September.
Greensborough led by three points at the last change and looked to have broken the game open with goals to Bell and Riddle in the opening four minutes to stretch out to a 15-point advantage.
However, for the third time for the day the Bulldogs were able to put together three goals in quick succession to take the lead for the second time.
Scores were level entering time-on, before Smith took a towering mark in the goal square after a long kick in from Clark. He converted from point blank range, before Desmond sealed the result at the 24-minute mark when he dribbled a goal through from close range.
Final score: Greensborough 11.9 (75) def North Heidelberg 9.9 (63)
