FITZROY Stars ended North Heidelberg’s unbeaten season with a thrilling three-point win at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval in Round 13.
In one of the greatest games of footy you are ever likely to see, the Stars prevailed with some attacking footy, mixed with a desperate mindset to win the contested ball, which saw them take home the four points in a 12.14 (86) to 12.11 (83) result.
With the Doggies fighting to remain undefeated, it was the final kick of the day that decided the match. Unfortunately, second half hero Marc Lonergan (four goals) was unable to produce a fairytale finish for the Bulldogs, with his long-range shot on the siren falling out of bounds on the full.
Both the senior and reserves of North Heidelberg came to Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval undefeated, but both left with their streaks broken as the Stars staked their claim for the flag in each level.
It was the Stars that got the better start in the senior match, with John Hayes bagging two majors and Richard Bamblett chipping in to get them off to a three-goal early advantage.
However, the Doggies dominated the remainder of the first term and kicked the next four goals to go into the second term with a 10-point buffer.
The Stars controlled the first five minutes of the term with their well-known attacking style of play, but the Dogs were able to prove to everyone at the ground why they were undefeated by rallying midway through the term to lead at the first break.
David Welsh got the Stars off to another good start in the second quarter, earning a free kick after tackling his opponent then slotting the set shot to get the home side within four points.
Entertaining and contested footy took over the next 10 minutes of the game, before North’s Jeff Ryan was able to break the scoring drought. Ryan kicked a beautiful goal to complete a great coast-to-coast goal for the Dogs.
But the Stars replied instantly, with Patrick Davis receiving a free kick for a hold in the goal square and making no mistake with the kick, getting his side back within a solitary point.
That was the last goal for the half but the Stars still kept creating chances, kicking another three behinds to take the lead. If they had been able to convert more of those opportunities their two-point half time margin could have been much greater.
In the somewhat unfamiliar position of trailing at the main break, Steve Saddington re-jigged his North Heidelberg in the second half.
Defender Marc Lonergan was moved into the forward line at the start of the third term and brought instant success, putting through his first of the day to give the Doggies a four-point lead.
His goal was followed by another to Jesse Tardio to stretch the visitors’ lead out to 10 points.
A couple of goal exchanges occupied the next five minutes, before the Stars were able to kick three majors in a row – including a 30m checkside from Kain Proctor – to take an 11-point lead with five minutes remaining in the third tem term.
From there, the Dogs outscored the Stars two goals to one to trail at the final break by just two points.
Lonergan’s move from defence into the forward line looked like a masterstroke as he kicked his fourth goal at the start of the final term, converting a great checkside to hand his side back the lead.
But Hayes replied instantly for the Stars, picking up the crumbs from a marking contest and streaming into an open goal. The quarter was then dominated by some entertaining end-to-end contested footy, and although neither side able to score easily, it was great viewing.
Malcolm Dow broke another scoring drought, kicking a miraculous goal from outside the boundary line to give the Stars a seven-point lead deep in proceedings.
John Green soccered through a late goal for the Dogs to get his side within two points but it wouldn’t be enough as the Stars held on to claim their 10th win of the year and take a stranglehold of second place on the Division 2 ladder.
Dow, Mungara Brown, Coree Thorpe and Allan Murray were the Stars’ best, whilst Lonergan, Ryan and Leigh Gilbert were the Doggies best.
The Stars and Dogs both have the break this weekend but will take on Diamond Creek and Lalor respectively at home when they return to action in Round 14.
Final score: Fitzroy Stars 12.14 (86) def North Heidelberg 12.11 (83)
