The Tigers raced out to an early 25-point lead and never looked back in the 17.7 (109) to 13.11 (89) victory, however what looked a serious leg injury to skipper Blair Harvey did sour the final result.
After the week off Montmorency was firing and ready to go in the warm-up but it was Heidelberg who went straight to work when the first bounce went – getting the first four goals of the match.
Returning forward Dale Nolan was outstanding in the first quarter and kicked three of the opening four majors, with George Nabbout chipping in for the other.
Dean Limbach finally got the Magpies’ first from the goal square but Heidelberg cancelled it out quickly. Dale Nolan booted his fourth of the quarter and Allan Young raced into 30m for a great running goal.
Montmorency was being completely outclassed but pulled the margin back to 19 points at the first break through late goals from James Brooker, after running past the defender for an easy goal, and Pat Fitzgerald who was lucky to soccer the ball off the ground right at the siren.
The Magpies needed to stem the flow and had to stop Dale Nolan if they were any chance of getting back into the semi final.
However, Justin Powick got his first for the Tigers to stretch the lead back to four goals but Monty was not going to stop trying and kicked another great goal from 50m out.
Montmorency continued to challenge but Heidelberg was always able to find an answer and kicked the next two goals in a row, including Nabbout’s second of the match.
Minutes later Harvey went down with a serious injury and was stretchered off but it didn’t stop Heidelberg as Fabian Dorbolo got his first after a clever tap over the shoulder which helped open up space for him to run in for an easy goal.
Aisake O’Hailpin tried to keep the margin in reach with a great running goal from 50m for the Magpies but Dale Nolan had other ideas and booted his fifth of the day right on the half-time siren to give his side a 25-point lead at the main break.
Montmorency got the first goal of the second half, but yet again it was quickly cancelled out as Josh Houlihan converted a great set shot from 50m out right on the boundary.
Dale Nolan got his sixth quickly afterwards from a 50m penalty before Montmorency responded with two in quick succession to briefly take back the momentum.
But just as the Magpies looked like getting back into the contest two goals from Michael Gay and Dale Nolan gave the Tigers a 32-point buffer heading into the last break – a lead which looked too great for Montmorency to haul in.
Ryan Jackson got the ball rolling for Montmorency with his first to kick-start the final quarter and moments later Ben Haynes made it two in a row. Another goal for Montmorency made it three in five minutes and put it right back in the game.
However, Heidelberg replied from a great passage of play before Nabbout put the final nail in the coffin for Montmorency with his third major. The goal sent the crowd into raptures as the Tigers’ Grand Final place was confirmed.
After claiming the 2012 minor premiership, Montmorency will now have to bounce back in Sunday’s preliminary final when it takes on Northcote Park.
The Cougars have been in great touch over the past two months and last week bundled Bundoora out of the finals in straight sets with a 20-point victory.
Final score: Montmorency: 13.11 (89) def by Heidelberg 17.7 (109)
