Macleod continued its strong run of form with a 62-point victory over North Heidelberg in the standalone Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 match over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
The Roos powered away from the Bulldogs in the final quarter, kicking seven goals to one to take home the 20.14 (134) to 11.6 (72) victory.
Patrick Martin booted seven goals in a dominant display up forward for the home side with the North Heidelberg defence unable to contain him.
Ben Lennon also chimed in with three goals, while Anthony Doherty and Billy Barden booted two apiece.
Doherty was named best afield for the Roos, lighting up De Winton Park when the game was in balance. Joel Kidd was also amongst the best for Macleod after his run-with role on Brent Harvey.
The AFL games record holder was still able to hit the scoreboard for the Bulldogs, as him and brother Shane were the only multiple goal scorers with three apiece.
Jesse Tardio was the best player on the ground for the visiting side, fighting hard all day even when the game was beyond reach. Former Coburg man Liam Hunt also shone for the Bulldogs, proving just how much class he adds to the Bulldogs midfield.
After Doherty got the Roos off to the perfect start with a strong overhead mark and goal, the match turned into an arm wrestle, with neither side able to gain momentum.
Both sides traded runs of goals before Fraser Pope put the Roos ahead late in the first term with a quick clearance and goal.
The Bulldogs looked to come out of the quarter time break full of life, booting the first two goals through Shane Harvey and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly.
However much like the first term, Macleod was able to reign in its opponent, kicking three of the next four goals, before the sides once again traded majors with the Roos heading into the half time break just nine points ahead.
Justin White got the home side off to the perfect start in the second half, kicking a goal within the first minute before Brent Harvey replied for the Bulldogs with a classy left-foot goal.
The Bulldogs kicked two goals in a minute midway through the third quarter courtesy of Liam Hunt to cut the margin to just two points before Barden kicked his second and Martin his fourth to stretch the lead to 20-points at the final change.
The Roos sparked into action in the final term, not wanting a repeat of their Round 1 defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs.
Ned McKeown took a huge grab in the goal square before crucial North Heidelberg errors gifted Ben Lennon two goals within five minutes.
Martin stood up in the big moments booting the Roos next three goals in a five-minute burst while Boomer tried to will his side back into the contest with his third for the day.
Jack Langford put the game beyond doubt with his first goal of the day late in the final term.
Both teams will take next week off, before Macleod travels to J.E Moore Park to take on second-placed West Preston-Lakeside in Round 9. while the Bulldogs will look to get straight back on the winners’ list when they host Whittlesea.
Final score: Macleod 20.14 (134) def North Heidelberg 11.6 (72)
