A BARNSTORMING second term was key to Macleod’s comfortable 18-point win over Heidelberg in dreary conditions in Round 12.
The Roos found themselves 12 points in arrears at quarter time after being outworked by the Tigers throughout the opening stanza.
However, Macleod piled on seven goals to two in the second term to create a match-winning 20-point lead at the main break before going on to record a 14.13 (97) to 12.7 (79) victory at De Winton Park.
The win ensures Macleod takes another step towards shoring up the double chance leading into the finals, remaining in second position on the Division 1 ladder with nine wins and a draw from its 12 games.
Heidelberg slumps to 7-5 and should Northcote Park defeat West Preston-Lakeside today, the Cougars will leapfrog the Tigers and seize third position.
The Bergs’ day was further soured by an injury to captain Jason Kennedy, who left the field with a suspected hamstring complaint.
Macleod was far superior over Heidelberg around the stoppages after the first break, with its clean ball movement from the clearances allowing it to create ample scoring opportunities against the fourth-best defensive unit in the competition.
On-ballers Liam Brandt and Hamish Paynter were key to the Roos’ dominance in the clinches, creating numerous Macleod attacks and impacting the scoreboard with three goals between them.
Macleod’s defensive unit was able to curb Heidelberg’s opportunities inside attacking 50, with Justin White rebounding superbly across half-back and Kane Shaw gobbling a number of important intercept marks.
Despite the somewhat limited chances, Daniel Archer played perhaps his best game in the yellow and black.
The key forward won his battle with Kangaroos defender Steven Kelly, threatening with his presence up forward and finishing with three goals.
Heidelberg defender Michael Looby’s impressive form continued, with a solid display in the back half.
Earlier, the Tigers had raced out to an early 16-point lead on the back of majors to Archer, Paul Bower and Ryan Stone.
Macleod was finding it difficult to move the ball cleanly and struggled when going inside forward 50, with Kennedy taking three intercept marks in the first term alone.
The Roos began to improve throughout the back half of the quarter and kicked two of the final three goals to enter quarter time with momentum.
The second term was all Macleod. Although Archer kicked the first of the quarter, Shane Doherty’s goal from the square sparked a run of six unanswered Kangaroo goals to leave the Bergers stunned.
Mathew Pianto managed to stem the tide with a cool snap nearing half time, however the resulting centre bounce allowed Sean Driscoll to release Josh Henkel.
The Macleod winger’s booming strike from 55 metres sailed through as the siren sounded to put the stamp on one of the best quarters of football played by any team in Division 1 this season.
Macleod extended its lead to 30 points at three quarter time despite its inaccuracy leaving the door ajar for Heidelberg heading into the final stanza.
However, Reid Brandt’s goal inside the opening minute of the fourth term extended the margin to 37 points and slammed the door firmly shut on the Bergs.
The Tigers were able to kick four of the final five goals of the contest to add some respectability to the scoreboard, including two to Stone who finished with a match-high four goals.
Heidelberg’s task does not get any easier in Round 13 when it travels to War Memorial Park to clash with ladder-leader Greensborough, whilst Macleod will have its premiership credentials examined with a testing trip to Northcote Park.
Final score: Macleod 14.13 (97) def Heidelberg 12.7 (79)
