HEIDELBERG issued its boldest statement yet to the remainder of the Division 1 competition, dismantling last year’s premier Bundoora at Yulong Reserve on Saturday.
Despite a slight hiccup early in the third quarter, the win never looked in doubt for the Bergers as they blew the Bulls off their home deck, beating them in the contested ball and clearances as they went on to win 16.8 (104) to 9.8 (62).
In the battle for first place, it was Heidelberg who was able to stand up on the big stage as they completely dominated their opponents in a second consecutive win at the Bull pen.
The home side never truly looked in the contest, despite taking the lead in the third term, as they slipped to fourth place on the ladder following a second loss in three weeks.
Heidelberg burst out of the blocks, kicking the first three goals of the game to assume an early 18-point buffer.
The Bulls were able to reply with two quick majors through Adrian Papaluca and Cameron Cloke. This brought them within a kick but Heidelberg replied with their own two quick goals to go into the second term leading by 17 points.
The Bergers clearly dominated the quarter having outplayed the Bulls in the contested ball and clearances. The worrying sign for the home side was that it could not put together a string of clean possessions without being forced into a turnover because of Heidelberg’s relentless pressure.
Desperately needing the first goal of the second term, the Bulls got off to the perfect start after Glenn Grgic sold some candy and kicked a belter beyond the 50m arc.
Having gained some momentum from the wonder goal, the Bulls were playing more confidently and freely. However, a costly turnover saw Chaz Sergeant toe poke into the open goal to restore order for the visitors.
The Bergers were able to kick another after soon after when Jordan Treloar kicked his first of four goals for the afternoon, picking the crumbs off the pack to slam home it from long range.
The remainder of the term was somewhat of an arm wrestle with neither team able to worry the scoreboard. The Bulls finally got the breakthrough as Cloke took a strong grab and slotted the set shot to give his team some hope heading into the main break.
Trailing by 15 points, Papaluca soon shortened that margin to nine as he again got the Bulls off to quick start in the third term. His goal was then followed by one to Andrew Carmusciano, who snapped truly to bring the Bulls within three points of the Bergers.
Tiger Matthew Pianto centered the ball to Treloar who slotted the goal at the other end to halt the Bulls early momentum. But in their best period of the game, the Bulls wouldn’t be denied and through goals to Neil Gloury and Joseph Palazzolo were able to take the lead for the first time.
However, their three-point advantage midway through the term was to be their highlight of the afternoon, as the Bergers were stung in action and slammed home the next three goals to head into the final term leading by 16 points.
As he did in the third term, Papaluca tried to spark another Bulls fightback as he kicked the first goal of the final quarter, his third of the day, to get them within 10 points.
But that was to be Bundoora’s final score as the Bergers ran riot in the last term. They kicked the last five goals of the match, including three to skipper Jason Kennedy and a neat goal by Kieran Andrew from deep in the forward pocket, to run out 42-point victors.
Michael Brunelli and Treloar led the charge for the Bergers all day, with Brunelli leading the way in the middle by winning the hard footy and racking up possessions, whilst Treloar was the leading goal kicker for the afternoon.
Bundoora’s best in a disappointing day was Papaluca, while Brendan Carlyon and Brayden Shaw both fought bravely.
At 6-0, the Bergers’ continue their stunning start to the season under Craig Hunter and now set-up a mouth-watering clash with third-placed West Preston-Lakeside at Warringal Park. Bundoora travels to Bill Lawry Oval to take on Northcote Park, with both sides desperate to get back on the winners’ list.
Final score: Bundoora 9.8 (62) def Heidelberg 16.8 (104)
