SENSATIONAL. Dramatic. Exciting. Just some superlatives to describe the first week of the Division 2 finals, which now sees North Heidelberg and Mernda meet in the preliminary final.
After defeating Fitzroy Stars by 35 points at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval the week prior, North Heidelberg was favoured to defeat the Stars again at Whittlesea Showgrounds last Saturday and progress to the Grand Final.
However, the Stars had other ideas, reversing a 10-point final quarter deficit to overhaul the Bulldogs 21.13 (139) to 16.17 (113). The result means Stephen Saddington’s side will play in the preliminary final for a third consecutive year.
The Bulldogs were outclassed for much of the day, leading for just 26 of the 116 minutes. But it seemed they would overrun the Stars when Leigh Gilbert goaled to put them 10 points ahead 10 minutes into the last quarter.
However, the Stars finished with the last six goals in the best game of the season.
Jesse Tardio returned from the Northern Blues and was North Heidelberg’s best, while Shane Harvey was well held by Coree Thorpe, yet still managed four goals. Jake Brown and David Florance were also solid in defeat.
Mernda had to survive a final quarter Lalor charge to progress through to their first preliminary final since 2005, with a 28-point victory.
Leading by 41 with 10 minutes played in the final quarter, the Demons conceded five quick goals to set up a grandstand finish. However, Brett Wilson’s side was able to steady and finished with the last three majors.
Jack Bianchin and Luke Shelton were dominant for the Demons, while Nick Brannelly kicked five goals.
North Heidelberg comes into this game with the wood over the Demons this year, winning three vastly different games by 48, 100 and 22 points respectively.
In Round 2, Mernda closed within 16 points during the last quarter, before North kicked the last five goals to run out a comfortable winner. Jeff Ryan – who was relatively quiet last Saturday – was best on ground on this occasion, while Josh Wuelfert was Mernda’s best.
Round 9 saw North Heidelberg run rampant from the second quarter onwards as they demolished the then second-placed Demons by triple figures in the NFL Match of the Day.
John Green kicked five goals for the home side and was named best with Ryan and Justin Bentley. Les Adams and Luke Shelton were Mernda’s better players on a disappointing day.
Mernda’s best chance to knock over North Heidelberg came in Round 17, when it led by 29 points approaching time on in the second quarter. However, the Bulldogs proceeded to kick the next nine goals to win by 22 points.
Jason Dean, in his 300th game, was one of North Heidelberg’s best, while Shane Harvey and David Hutchinson kicked five goals for their respective sides.
With the last Grand Final spot up for grabs, both the Bulldogs and the Demons have everything to play for with their season on the line.
