North Heidelberg jumped into the top-five on the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 ladder after a gutsy nine-point victory over West Preston-Lakeside in Round 11.
In a see-sawing affair, it was the Bulldogs who were able to capitalise on their opportunities and take the 11.10 (76) to 9.13 (67) victory at J.E Moore Park.
The result handed the Bulldogs their fifth win from their past six matches and pushed them into fifth place after 11 rounds.
Shane Harvey starred in the win, booting seven goals to take him to the top of the goal kicking ladder with 38 for the season.
Liam McLeod, Rhys Gardener, Mitchell Brown and Brent Harvey all chipped in with singles for the Bulldogs.
Michael Florance was named best afield for the victors, while Brent Harvey and Liam Hunt were also outstanding in the midfield.
Garrett McDonagh was best for the home side with his penetrating left boot vital in setting up attacks for the Roosters, as well as kicking a goal himself.
Luke Lirosi was the only multiple goal scorer for the home side, kicking two majors with a host of others getting on the board with singles.
Kicking with a strong breeze in the first quarter, West Preston-Lakeside did all the attacking early and was eventually rewarded with goals to Ozgur Uysal and Khodr Waari.
The home side took full advantage of the wind, kicking five goals to one in the opening term to take a 29-point lead into the first change.
The momentum shifted early in the second term and the Roosters had no match for Shane Harvey, who put on a clinic up forward for the Bulldogs.
With just over 17 minutes played in the second term Harvey had his fifth major and gave his side the lead for the first time for the afternoon, before Mitchell Brown bombed one from beyond the centre of the ground to give the visitors a nine-point lead at the main break.
The wind reduced early in the second half, however West Preston-Lakeside maintained possession of the ball and looked the most dangerous side going forward throughout the term.
The Roosters booted the first goal of the quarter, before Brent Harvey was able to run into an open goal midway through the quarter. McDonagh then loaded up from the centre square to cut the deficit to just three points at the final change.
The Bulldogs got on the front foot early in the last quarter, with two goals in the first three minutes courtesy of Shane Harvey and McLeod.
Lirosi pegged one back for West Preston-Lakeside before Jaylon Thorpe flew for a huge pack mark before slotting the goal as the Roosters charged home.
However, a costly error allowed Shane Harvey to kick his seventh and seal the match for the Bulldogs.
North Heidelberg hosts Montmorency in Round 12 as it looks to cement its spot in the top-five, while the Magpies will be looking to stay in touch with the finals race.
West Preston-Lakeside heads to Yulong Reserve to take on Bundoora in a crucial top-four encounter.
Final score: West Preston-Lakeside 9.13 (67) def by North Heidelberg 11.10 (76)
