Heidelberg won the Division 2 under-19s premiership in emphatic style with a 54-point win over Lower Plenty in the grand final.
The Tigers booted four unanswered goals in the opening term and led all game in the 9.8 (62) to 1.2 (8) triumph at Preston City Oval.
Isaac Silic took out the best on ground medallion, while Stephen Bakos and Oliver Stapleton combined for five goals to lead their side to the commanding win.
A snap goal from Christopher de Dear in the opening two minutes set the tone for the day as Heidelberg looked switched on from the outset against the minor premier.
Sam Bevan-Shannon did all he could to get Lower Plenty going early, with a goal-saving tackle, while Jack Fitzpatrick was in the thick of the action.
However, poor turnovers were costly going forward for Lower Plenty, as a kick out of a pack saw Stephen Bakos kick his first of the day to double Heidelberg’s lead.
The Tigers had their third goal not long after when Stapleton took a bounce and snapped his first major, before Bakos made it four for the quarter just seconds before the quarter time siren to give the Tigers a 25-point lead at the first break.
Both teams went goalless in the second quarter as heavy rain and a strong breeze blowing across the ground made conditions very tough, with the ball continually locked up in heavy congestion.
Silic was providing drive for the Tigers but the Lower Plenty defence, led by Khayne Horman and Ed Zumbo was standing up.
Bevan-Shannon kept on fighting for the Bears, however his side went into the main break scoreless and facing a 27-point deficit.
Lower Plenty came out firing in the third quarter, led by Lachy Staggol, Tyler Wallace and Fraser Delbridge but again couldn’t finish off inside 50 – managing just the solitary point for the quarter.
Heidelberg was much more efficient going forward and somewhat against the run of play Stapleton put through the game’s first goal since the opening term to push the margin out to 33 points.
The scoring wasn’t finish yet for the Tigers. Bakos kicked his third major, before a goal on the three-quarter time siren to Matthew McInerney had the game all but won heading into the last change, with Heidelberg 45 points ahead.
Stapleton started the fourth quarter where the Tigers finished the third, kicking a silky running goal.
Brixton Timewell finally ended the scoring drought for Lower Plenty, with what proved to be the Bears only goal of the day.
However, it was all Heidelberg thereafter, as a snap by Samuel Wright signaled party time for his side and gave the Tigers a 54-point win.
Final score: Lower Plenty 1.2 (8) def by Heidelberg 9.8 (62)
