NORTH HEIDELBERG remains undefeated on top of the Division 2 ladder following its solid win over Diamond Creek at Shelley Street Reserve.
Despite a decent opening quarter and some good patches of play by Diamond Creek, the game never looked like it would slip out of the Bulldogs’ hands in the 18.14 (122) to 13.6 (84) result.
The second quarter saw North Heidelberg pile on six goals to the Creekers’ two, as the Bulldogs turned an eight-point deficit at quarter time into a 22-point lead at the half-time break.
However, the margin could have been greater except for some inaccurate shooting that resulted in North Heidelberg also adding six behinds to the scoreboard.
Many of both teams’ goals were scored from tight angles and set shots from the boundary line, as they worked the ball through the wings rather than the corridor.
Leigh Gilbert was the top goal scorer for the game, as North Heidelberg’s captain kicked four goals, including an impressive snap from a tight angle on-the-run in the last quarter.
He also helped create scoring options for his team by clearing the ball from the centre bounce towards the Bulldogs’ forward line.
The opening half of the final term was one of North Heidelberg’s best periods of play for the day, as it built on its quicker movement through the midfield which began to show in the third quarter.
This followed coach Stephen Saddington telling his players at three quarter time they had to dig deep even when running out of legs, as only two players remained on the bench for rotations.
This was due to injuries to Jason Dean and Patrick McNulty that occurred in the first half of the match.
Lachlan Dowling played well in this time, having several shots and kicking two goals as his side added six goals to the scoreboard in the final quarter.
There were some positives for Diamond Creek, the only team that remains winless in Division 2, notably its defence which was able to clear the ball cleanly from North Heidelberg’s forward 50.
This was particularly noticeable early in the second quarter, where the Creekers regularly spoiled the Bulldogs’ entry into their forward line, however they were unable to bring the ball down the ground and convert on the scoreboard.
The Creekers’ also held periods of momentum in each quarter where they were able to string together consecutive goals, including the last two of the match.
These two goals, scored on-the-run from Andrew Gray and Daniel Carmody, helped keep the final losing margin to 38 points.
Diamond Creek will still be searching for a win in its next match against Epping, whilst ladder leader North Heidelberg will take on Hurstbridge away.
Final score: North Heidelberg 18.14 (122) def Diamond Creek 13.6 (84)
