North Heidelberg booked its place in the 2017 A Plus Solutions Division 2 grand final, following a commanding 70-point victory over Diamond Creek.
Leading by only seven points at half time, the Bulldogs kicked 14 goals in the second half to seal the 19.12 (126) to 9.2 (56) victory at Epping Recreation Reserve.
It is the second consecutive year the Bulldogs have won the second semi final and progressed to the grand final. They will now aim to go one better after losing to Hurstbridge in last year’s decider.
Jesse Tardio was instrumental in the big win, capping off a fine performance with a seven-bounce run that set up a goal for Brent Harvey.
The Harvey brothers did what they do best, combining for eight goals and causing havoc for the Demons.
Hamish McDonald worked hard and was Diamond Creek’s best performer, while Ryan Pingree and Nathan Searl ended the game with two goals apiece.
It was the second meeting between these sides in a week and for the second time, North Heidelberg scored 126 points.
The Bulldogs began the match as they had ended the previous encounter, kicking three goals in the first 11 minutes. Leigh Gilbert attributed to two of the goals, and it wasn’t long until he added a third in the opening term.
The Bulldogs were able to find space by quickly moving the ball forward and applying pressure on the Demons defence.
Diamond Creek had trouble getting the ball passed the centre square and on the rare occasions it entered its forward line, the Bulldogs counter attacked and hit the scoreboard.
The Demons failed to hit the scoreboard in the opening term and at quarter time North Heidelberg led by 36 points.
Diamond Creek began to assume the ascendancy in the second term, gaining more of the football and finding targets up forward.
Pingree booted the Demons first goal of the game, five minutes into the term. The goal opened the floodgates and soon after, Searl and Chris Moloney kicked goals within a minute for the Demons.
Sensing a momentum switch, North Heidelberg coach Stephen Saddington moved Shane Harvey into defence to play as the loose man.
But Harvey could do little to prevent Jacob Booth and Brad Perry from reducing the margin to seven points at half time.
With the game hanging in the balance, Diamond Creek kicked the first goal of the third term, to reduce the margin to one point.
It appeared the Demons might run away with the game, until the Harvey brothers stamped their authority on the match.
The Bulldogs had trouble breaking down the Demons defence, until Shane Harvey booted his first goal of the match. A minute later Leigh Bentley slotted home a major to give the Bulldogs some breathing space.
Brent Harvey then kicked the next two goals, before Kyle McDonald and Pasquale Saccuzzo stretched the margin to 41 points at three quarter time.
North Heidelberg’s dominance in the third term shattered the Demons, who could only watch on as the Bulldogs piled on the goals in the final quarter – which included four goals in the opening five minutes.
Brent Harvey racked up possessions and kicked two goals, but could have converted more if he had taken the opportunities, instead of passing off to teammates.
The Bulldogs ended the term by booting eight goals, guaranteeing their spot in the Grand Final. Diamond Creek will look to bounce back in the preliminary final against either of the Fitzroy Stars or Lower Plenty.
Final score: North Heidelberg 19.12 (126) def Diamond Creek 9.2 (56)
