Even without suspended skipper Blair Harvey, the Tigers showed why they are still the number-one ranked team in the competition as they stayed in control for most of the game, to claim an 18.12 (120) to 14.3 (87) win at Warringal Park.
After establishing an early lead, Heidelberg was able to build on its advantage throughout the day and had the answer every time the Bulls challenged.
The game was won in the middle of the ground, where the Tigers big men dominated. Both Michael Gay and Michael Finn imposed themselves on the contest, ruling in the air and giving the men on the ground plenty of opportunities.
George Nabbout was the main beneficiary with four goals and plenty of influential touches through the centre and the forward line.
Although Bundoora struggled to find its usual rhythm, the class of some of the Bulls still rose to the top.
A week after being held goalless, Gary Moorcroft returned at his usual best with six goals and Brayden Shaw was also able to finish with six after a slow start.
As for the midfield, Micheal Farrelly was the most consistent over the four quarters, winning plenty of clearances.
It was Farrelly who got Bundoora of to a quick start when he kicked the first goal of the game, but the Tigers were quick to answer and piled on the next three. Heidelberg looked in control as it was able to lock the ball in its forward half, constantly applying on pressure on the Bundoora defenders.
Moorcroft kicked his first for the day to keep the Bulls in touch but goals to Caleb Tiller and Allan Young extended the home side’s buffer to more than three goals. A Brayden Shaw goal on the siren ensured the margin was only 15 at the break.
Moorcroft set the game alight straight after quarter-time. In the space of five minutes he kicked three goals and thrust the Bulls into the lead.
But with the game in the balance, Heidelberg responded like a top team – moving the ball quickly through the centre and exposing Bundoora’s defense via Young and Nabbout.
After weathering the early storm, the Tigers proceeded to take control. They dominated the stoppages and kept the ball in their half as Bundoora didn’t look like scoring. Three late goals pushed the margin out to 24 point at half-time.
The game was still in the balance and Heidleberg’s first goal of the third term was crucial. From there the teams went blow for blow, trading goals as they went. If the Bulls looked like fighting back the Tigers would score, and conversely, if the Tigers started to break away then the Bulls would quickly answer to keep in touch.
Shaw was the standout for the quarter with three goals. When it looked like all other goal-scoring options had dried up for Bundoora, the skipper rose to the challenge and kept his side in the game.
With 23 points the difference heading into the final quarter, the first goal was yet again all important. This time it went to Nabbout who had been superb all day.
However, Bundoora’s backline did not give up and defended desperately – keeping the Tigers scoreless for 10 minutes even though the Bulls could barely manage an inside 50m themselves.
It was Danny Nolan who finally broke the deadlock for the Tigers. His goals were followed by Young’s fifth and one for Rhys Healey which put the game beyond doubt.
While Shaw added another two and Moorcroft his sixth it was too little too late as Heidelberg was just too good.
The Tigers can strengthen their hold on top place when they host 2010 premier West Preston-Lakeside this Saturday, while Bundoora has another tough assignment to contend with when it returns to Yulong Reserve to take on fourth-placed Northcote Park.
The Cougars won their fifth consecutive game last weekend when they overran the Roosters in the final quarter to score a 30-point win at J.E. Moore Park.
Final score: Heidelberg 18.12 (120) def Bundoora 14.3 (87)
