The North Heidelberg juggernaut kept on rolling in Division 2, thrashing the previously second-placed Mernda by 100 points in the top of the table clash at Shelley Street Reserve on Saturday.
The Doggies never looked in doubt, opening with a four-goal head start in as many minutes, before finishing the second half superbly in wet and dark conditions to claim a 25.8 (158) to 8.10 (58) victory.
Billed as the battle between Division 2’ two best sides, the Doggies proved they are miles ahead of the chasing pack – completely dismantling the Demons to send out a clear message they are gunning for promotion back into the top flight.
With wins like these and the fluency in which it plays its football, it is hard to see North Heidelberg spending another year in the second division.
The Bulldogs’ ball movement from the middle to their forward line is unmatched across the competition, with their forward line frighteningly potent, with many options for midfielders to kick to.
The game started with a flurry, with four quick goals to the Doggies allowing them to accelerate to an early four-goal lead.
Mernda tried to fight back, but missed a number of gettable opportunities which proved costly as Jake Brown halted the visitor’s momentum, slamming home a good goal to complete a great coast-to-coast play for the home side.
The Demons were able to reply with two of their own, with Luke Shelton and David Hutchinson capitalising on their side’s great forward pressure to reduce the margin to 14-points at the first break.
Mernda certainly finished the quarter the stronger, and continued that form into the second term. The visitor kicked the first through Shelton, who magnificently kept the ball in play before snapping truly off one step to reduce the margin to eight points.
But that was as close as Mernda got for the whole match, with the Doggies slamming on the accelerator – kicking the next six goals unanswered to go into the main break ahead by 45 points.
Shane Harvey was moved onto the ball at the start of the third term, which proved an instant success. He directly assisted in two quick goals for the Doggies to extend the lead to 58 points. They then went on to kick the next five in a ruthless display to extend it out to a stunning 88 points.
Nick Brannelly was finally able to kick Mernda’s first for the quarter – ending a run of 13 straight goals for the home side, before a couple of goal exchanges saw out the term with North Heidelberg ahead by a commanding 83 points.
Putting a further sour note on an already miserable trip to Heidelberg Heights, injuries forced Mernda down to only one fit player on the interchange – severely limiting its rotations.
The last quarter saw the North Heidelberg forward line again run rampant, kicking six goals to three – which included John Green snagging his fifth the day. While the 100-point win wasn’t the Bulldogs’ greatest margin of the season, their ninth victory was certainly their most emphatic given their opposition.
Jeff Ryan, was the best ball user on the ground and was North Heidelberg’s best in the big win. Daniel Bramich was also dominant all over the field, while Green had a big day out up forward.
Mernda’s best in defeat were Luke Shelton with three goals, one of the only shining lights for the side up forward, along with Brannelly and Liam Gray.
North Heidelberg takes to the road in Round 10 as it tackles Hurstbridge, whilst Mernda returns home to take on fourth-placed Lalor as it looks to make amends for its poor showing against the Dogs.
Final score: North Heidelberg 25.8 (158) def Mernda 8.10 (58)
