Heidelberg moved a game clear inside the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 top-five with a dominant 43-point victory over Montmorency at Warringal Park.
The sides were separated by only percentage heading into the Round 13 game, but it was the fourth-placed Tigers who were far too strong for the sixth-placed Magpies, leading at every change in the 14.11 (95) to 7.10 (52) result.
Having scored just 26 points in last week’s heavy defeat to Bundoora, Heidelberg’s forwards were far more prolific against the Magpies.
Former Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers had a significant impact in his first game for the Tigers, with he and Josh Minogue both influential up forward, kicking three goals each.
Bellchambers wasn’t the only inclusion to help turn the Tigers’ fortunes, with Matthew Schnerring enjoying a great day in his first senior game for the season – leading the scoring with four majors.
Daniel O’Dwyer, Will Drapac and Lachlan Wilson were all influential further afield and were among the key contributors to the home side’s win.
For Montmorency, it was the usual stars who led the way, with Jai Robinson and Jesse Donaldson the Magpies’ best in defeat, while Patrick Fitzgerald led the scoring with three goals.
Heidelberg started the game in ideal fashion, with the Tigers getting the early jump with the first three goals of the game.
Bellchambers was immediately involved, booting the opening major.
Patrick Fitzgerald’s goal later in the term steadied the ship somewhat for the Magpies, with the margin reduced to 13 points at the first change.
Heidelberg coach Danny Nolan was pleased with his side’s first quarter effort but instructed his team to move the ball quicker when going forward.
After a tight start to the second quarter, the Tigers managed to break away to open a sizable half-time advantage.
Goals to Bellchambers, Schnerring and Minogue stretched the home side’s advantage to 34 points at the main break.
Bronson Hill kicked the opening goal of the third term, which gave Montmorency some hope, however Heidelberg responded with the next four to put the result beyond doubt.
The only lowlight of the third term for the Tigers was the loss of Matthew Smith, who left the field with concussion following an accidental head knock.
Trailing by 49 points at the final change, Montmorency coach Garry Ramsay was far from pleased with his side’s efforts and demanded his players be more assertive in the final quarter.
The messaged look to be received when Fitzgerald booted the first goal of the final term.
However, the momentum didn’t last long, as Minogue and Schnerring bobbed up again to kick their third and fourth goals of the game respectively.
The icing on the cake came late in the day, when Kieren Andrew pushed forward to kick his first goal of the season, which capped a great performance for the Tigers and continued their push for a finals berth.
Final score: Heidelberg 14.11 (95) def Montmorency 7.10 (52)
HEIDELBERG
Goal Kickers: M. Schnerring 4, J. Minogue 3, T. Bellchambers 3, B. Nikolovski 2, M. Cecchin, K. Andrew
Best Players: D. O’Dwyer, W. Drapac, L. Wilson, B. Nikolovski, M. Schnerring, J. Kane
MONTMORENCY
Goal Kickers: P. Fitzgerald 3, N. Paton 2, K. Watson, B. Hill
Best Players: J. Robinson, J. Donaldson, J. Thompson, C. Dalgleish, P. Fitzgerald, B. Jenkin
