Tigers claim first scalp


Published on Sunday, April 30, 2017

Author : Ben Pascuzzi

Heidelberg got its 2017 campaign rolling, piling on six goals to two in the final term to run away with its first win of the season in a 44-point result over Eltham.

Having lost its first three matches, the Tigers were in desperate need for a win to kick-start their premiership defence.

And they got that at Eltham Central Park, producing a strong four-quarter performance to run away with a 14.11 (95) to 6.15 (51) win.

Eltham could have well and truly made it a serious contest, but failed to capitalise on its opportunities in front of goal, ultimately costing it the chance to compete for longer and potentially come away with the win.

Both sides started the match wastefully, each missing two opportunities apiece before Sam Grimley broke the drought in the sixth minute when he nailed his set shot tight up against the boundary line to put the visitors ahead by a goal.

Jack Ryan and Charles Gaylard followed suit, each converting their opportunities to see the Bergers hold an 18-point advantage at the quarter time, with Eltham yet to register a goal.

Eltham coach Paul King told his side to take on the game more often and take a more direct route through the middle of the ground. He also urged his side to hold on to their tackles.

But despite this, it was not evident in the first minute of the second term as Will Knight pushed Heidelberg’s margin out to four goals.

Grimley then kicked his second after a strong mark, extending the lead to a match-high 30-points.

Eltham had to wait until close to the halfway mark of the second term to kick its first goal, with Bradyn Taglieri intercepting a Heidelberg kick-in to boot his side’s first major of the match.

The Panthers’ woes in front of goal continued as several relatively simple opportunities went begging, before Lewis Glasgow made amends for an earlier miss by slotting his set shot from 40m to kick the home side’s second major of the match.

However, a miss after the half-time siren from Thomas Burns summed up Eltham’s opening half, as they produced plenty of opportunities but desperately lacked execution as they went into the second half trailing by 16 points.

The Panthers started off the second half with a goal to Josh Merkel which reduced the margin to just 10 points.

After close to 10 minutes of back and forth action, it was Ben Irving who got the reply for Heidelberg before Glasgow nailed his second to cut the margin back at 10 points.

Heidelberg gradually grabbed control of the contest and Gaylard and Kieren Andrew each kicked a goal before the three-quarter time siren to give the Bergers a comfortable 21-point advantage heading into the final term.

A couple of goal exchanges opened the final term before the floodgates opened for the Bergers as they piled on four unanswered goals to finish the match 44-point victors.

Leading the way for the Bergers were Gaylard, Adam Symes, and Grimley (four goals), whilst the best in defeat for Eltham were Lachlan Merkel, Adam Brovedani and Jack Woodfall.

Heidelberg will look to continue its momentum into Round 4 when it travels to Hurstbridge, whilst the Panthers will tackle an in-form Northcote Park at Eltham Central Park.

Final score: Eltham 6.15 (51) def by Heidelberg 14.11 (95)

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