Greensborough came out on top in its first meeting with Heidelberg since last year’s Division 1 Grand Final in a titanic battle at Warringal Park.
Despite finding itself two points down at three-quarter time, the Boro rallied to kick six final-term goals to run out 18-point victors in a 19.9 (123) to 16.9 (105) result.
The result enabled Greensborough to leapfrog Macleod and move into first place on the Division 1 ladder, with four wins from its first five games.
Rhys Boyden was immense for the Boro, booting three of his seven goals in the last quarter to will his side over the line, whilst co-captain Lachlan McQuilken was exceptional through the midfield.
Greensborough coach Ben Turner was pleased with the contributions from his midfield brigade.
“Our on-ballers were terrific,” Turner said. “Lachie McQuilken, Andrew Stellas and Tristan Stead are playing some really consistent footy.”
The Bergers were gallant all day despite missing a host of key players, including captain Jason Kennedy, Daniel Archer and Paul Bower.
In the absence of Archer, Josh Gribben was swung from defence into attack and outpointed star Boro defender Daniel McLinden to finish with six majors.
Turner was happy with the resilience his side displayed throughout the game.
“The fact that we were down a couple of times during the course of the game – it was a real game of ebbs and flows – and we were able to finish strong, is pleasing,” Turner said.
“We lost to Heidelberg twice during the course of the season last year…the fact that we walk away with the four points is just a positive for us.”
After a dour start where both defences were on top, Heidelberg was able to pile on four goals in five minutes to establish an early 23-point buffer.
Boyden opened the Boro’s account at the 18-minute mark of the first quarter, which sparked a similar flurry of goals to quickly erase the Tigers’ advantage and draw Greensborough level.
However, two late goals ensured Heidelberg would take a deserved 13-point advantage into quarter time.
Greensborough was beginning to impose itself around the stoppages and snared the first goal of the second term through Josh Grubb after Stead’s centring ball.
McQuilken was able to feed Stead moments later, who snapped truly from close range to put the Boro ahead.
Heidelberg had scored just a solitary behind in 24 minutes of football, however two goals in as many minutes from Chaz Sargeant and Gribben arrested the lead back for the Bergs.
Stellas responded for the Boro to ensure both sides were deadlocked at the main break.
With Greensborough’s run beginning to trouble the Tigers, Grubb was able to slot his third goal thanks to more good work from McQuilken.
Two goals to Gribben were countered by another Grubb major, before Stead again put the Boro ahead.
Gribben was proving far too strong up forward, single-handedly keeping Heidelberg afloat in the game as he kicked his third of the quarter.
Both sides traded goals, before Gribben’s post-siren set shot gave Heidelberg all the momentum heading into three-quarter-time.
McLinden was powerless in stopping Gribben as he kicked his sixth goal four minutes into the last term to leave Greensborough eight points in arrears.
Boyden snapped Heidelberg’s run of three unanswered goals, with two further Boro majors handing it back the ascendancy.
Jordan Treloar kept the Tigers in touch, however Boyden stepped up with a pair of late goals to ice the game.
Heidelberg will look to respond in Round 6 when it hosts arch-rival Montmorency, whilst Greensborough will again travel to face Bundoora at Yulong Reserve.
Final score: Heidelberg 16.9 (105) def by Greesnborough 19.9 (123)
