Four quarters of football filled with momentum swings ended with Heidelberg claiming a nail-biting one-point victory over Montmorency in their Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 twilight fixture at Montmorency Park.
After kicking three of the four final quarter goals, the Tigers looked destined to see out a composed finish late into time-on, but the Magpies offered a fierce onslaught of forward pressure to create a dramatic conclusion to the contest.
With minutes left, Montmorency star Sam Binion collected the ball in his own defensive half of the ground, took a bounce at full pace and sailed the ball to an empty goal-square from 60-metres out.
In the proceeding moments, the ball bobbled dangerously on the outskirts of the Magpies’ forward 50, but the siren confirmed the narrowest of victories for the reigning premiers, as they prevailed 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80).
It marks yet another famous match between the two clubs, with four of their last five encounters being decided by less than a goal.
Regular standouts Brody Tardio and Brayden Sier were a damaging duo for the Tigers, dominating the physical contest around the ground.
Samuel Wright led the goalkickers with four majors, including two clutch final quarter goals kicked within a minute of game time.
Montmorency inclusion Lachlan Batchelor dominated alongside Marcus Lentini and Sam Binion in midfield, but the Magpies’ possession did not always translate onto the scoreboard.
After Nick Rutley’s men enjoyed an initial spell of control in the first quarter, Heidelberg would flip the momentum and score the opening two majors of the match through Brody Tardio and Brayden Sier.
2023 Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 leading goalkicker Patrick Fitzgerald responded with a set-shot goal, but the Tigers immediately resumed control as Samuel Wright took his opportunity for a snap on goal from the following centre bounce.
Now under siege from a dominant Heidelberg outfit, Montmorency recklessly turned the ball over in their defensive half, which Sier converted ruthlessly from 30 metres.
Trailing by 18 points at the first break, the Magpies found their feet through fresh faces.
Port Melbourne VFL recruit Nash Holmes transitioned the ball superbly from half-back, and young ruck Flynn Riley won his matchup against Heidelberg recruit Tom Keys.
Corey Sleep kicked two goals, alongside majors from Holmes and Riley, but it was Jackson Jones that produced the highlight of the term.
Tucked near the pocket, Jones would magnificently spear through a goal from just inside the forward arc, turning directly to celebrate with a rapturous congregation of Montmorency fans.
Despite the intensity clearly rising, the Tigers demonstrated the confidence and composure they have shown time and time again over the past two years.
Goals from Zane Barzen and Samuel Wright would keep the hosts at arm’s length, resulting in an 11-point margin at half-time.
With a statement victory on the line, both teams emerged from the half-time siren not wanting to give an inch.
Heidelberg converted two of the quarter’s opening three goals, but a clutch 40-metre finish from Jack Chubb proved to be the turning point of the quarter.
The experienced defensive unit of Heidelberg, including Keenan Posar, Sean Martin and Daniel O’Dwyer fought doggedly, but Magpies talisman Patrick Fitzgerald asserted his physical presence inside forward 50.
Scoring back-to-back goals, last year’s Team of the Year full forward gave his side a three-point lead heading into the final term.
An arm-wrestle ensued, and the team’s traded the lead twice before Samuel Wright displayed his electrifying best.
The small-forward danced through the congestion of the Montmorency defenders twice within a minute, scoring two crucial snaps that pushed his side’s lead beyond a goal.
Now with a margin they could defend in the game’s dying moments, it would take something special to break through Heidelberg’s resolute defensive line.
After repeated behinds, in stepped Sam Binion. Receiving the ball on the wing and charging full-throttle into space, the Montmorency leader kicked a team-inspiring goal from well beyond the 50-metre arc to bring the margin to a solitary point.
Heidelberg claimed possession as the seconds drew to a close, but creating one last opportunity from a turnover, the Magpies kicked the ball hopingly into their forward pocket.
The space flooded with congestion of desperate forwards and defenders alike and clean possession became almost impossible.
As the ball trickled for a stoppage just outside the Montmorency 50 metre arc, the siren sounded, crowning Heidelberg victorious in yet another all-time classic between the two powerhouses of the top flight.
