Heidelberg’s status as the premier team in the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 competition was confirmed for at least another year, following a 23-point Grand Final victory over Bundoora at Preston City Oval.
It was a vastly different game to when these two sides met in last year’s decider, but what didn’t change was the Tigers always being one step ahead of a gallant Bulls outfit, with their work in the first half proving to be enough to see them prevail 15.7 (97) to 11.8 (74).
The triumph is Heidelberg’s 22nd senior premiership in the NFNL competition and their 21st in Division 1 as well as their sixth Grand Final win over Bundoora since 2004.
It caps off another marvellous season for Vin Dattoli’s side, as they dropped points in just two of their 18 games in the home and away campaign before winning their two finals over the Bulls by an average of 40.5 points.
Matthew Smith became the first person in the NFNL era to claim multiple Division 1 Grand Final best on ground medallions after another professional display.
His work in the middle and his ability to create space for his fellow teammates to drive the ball forward proved to be a key catalyst towards his side’s win.
If it wasn’t Smith providing those opportunities, it was Brayden Sier who was a contested beast throughout the afternoon, breaking multiple tackles and producing many inside 50 entries.
Captain Sam Gilmore provided some highlights, none more so than midway through the first quarter, when he took arguably the mark of the year, before slotting home the set shot.
Jess Gedi had a strong contribution as well as Zane Barzen, with the latter kicking four important second half goals for the Tigers.
Hamish Shepheard fought gallantly in ruck for Bundoora against Gilmore, often taking on the game himself from midfield when influence from the likes of Sam Lloyd and Luke Collins was minimal.
Daniel Younan was a shining light at half forward and finished with three goals, while Jackson Davies and Matthew Evans were the Bulls’ best defenders.
The midfield dominance of Heidelberg was on full display in the early stages of the match, as they kicked the first four goals of the Grand Final inside 18 minutes.
It looked as though Bundoora would barely see the ball inside their attacking half until some ill-discipline from the minor premiers put the Bulls back in the game.
They would kick three goals in seven minutes to reduce the deficit to six points at quarter time, but it would prove to be the closest they got to the eventual premiers for the rest of the game.
Heidelberg, as expected, went up another notch in the second term to kick five goals to one for the quarter.
Creating havoc inside the Bundoora defensive half, Vin Dattoli’s men kicked two goals in the opening 12 minutes before the Bulls responded through John Jorgensen three minutes later.
But regular programming resumed for Heidelberg, who produced a scintillating period during time on when they kicked three unanswered majors to lead by 32 points at the main break.
Needing a fast start in the third term, the Bulls would get one through Jorgensen and Brent Marshall, who each goaled to make it a 19-point ball game.
But any question posed by Michael Ryan’s side continued to be answered by the Tigers who produced a two-goal patch of their own to regain control of the contest.
Bundoora kicked three of the final five majors of the term, with Daniel Younan starting to have an influence in front of the big sticks.
But again, Heidelberg would respond, this time through their leading goalkicker in Zane Barzen, who finished the third quarter with three goals as his side led by 26 points at the last change.
The Tigers all but sealed the premiership victory just a minute into the last quarter, when Dylan Clarke’s entry inside 50 ended up bouncing through the big sticks.
Barzen’s fourth major five minutes later made it a game-high 36-point lead and started the celebrations for Heidelberg.
Bundoora continued to fight until the end and pushed hard to score two more goals for the game.
But the Tigers fans were full of joy throughout the last quarter, with the final siren signaling their title as back-to-back premiers.
