Heidelberg moved six points clear in second place on the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 ladder with a dominant 53-point victory over North Heidelberg in Round 9.
The Tigers used a seven-goal to zero third term to run away with the 12.10 (82) to 3.11 (29) victory in heavy conditions at Warringal Park.
It was a great response to last week’s shock loss at Lower Plenty and a sizeable turnaround after losing to the Bulldogs by 44 points in their Round 4 outing at Shelley Reserve.
Heidelberg coach Frank Raso was impressed with his side’s effort throughout the day and was pleased it was able to overcome the mental hurdle after losing the past three matches against the Bulldogs.
“I think we needed to get over North Heidelberg from a mental point of view. They’ve beat us the last three times by six or seven goals,” Raso said.
The home side was led by star midfielders Ryan Stone and Lachlan Wilson, while Daniel O’Dwyer and Josh Gribben were instrumental down back.
O’Dwyer had the job on Shane Harvey and kept the North Heidelberg superboot to just one goal. Harvey had kicked 22 majors in his previous three matches against Heidelberg.
Chaz Sargeant returned to the Tigers line-up and made an immediate impact with five goals. He was the only multiple goal scorer for the day, with a host of others kicking singles for the Tigers.
As the rain fell early, both sides found it hard to gain clean possession.
However, it was the Tigers who got on the board first as Josh Minogue kicked a goal after 13 minutes.
The Bulldogs went a man down early when in-form midfielder Billy Hogan received a red card in a major blow for his side.
Shane Harvey was able to snap the Bulldogs’ first after receiving a free kick to level the scores at quarter time.
Quick goals to both sides early in the second quarter meant the arm wrestle continued.
Sargeant broke the deadlock with two straight goals to give the hosts a 10-point lead at the main break.
Sargeant kicked another early in the third term as the Tigers began getting the ball forward with ease and converted their opportunities.
Brent Harvey received a send off late in the third term as the home side headed into the final change with a commanding 53-point lead.
The Bulldogs were unable to mount a comeback in the final term, despite kicking the opening goal of the quarter through Daniel Bramich.
Sargeant slotted his fifth afterwards to seal the victory, which put Heidelberg in a commanding position to claim a double-chance in the finals.
Heidelberg will travel to Yulong Reserve next week to take on Bundoora in another top-four match-up, while North Heidelberg will look to get back on the winners’ list when it hosts Lower Plenty.
Final score: Heidelberg 12.10 (82) def North Heidelberg 3.11 (29)
HEIDELBERG
Best Players: R. Stone, L. Wilson, D. O’Dwyer, J. Gribben, T. Sullivan, S. Gilmore
Goal Kickers: C. Sargeant 5, P. Della Rocca, J. Blair, J. Minogue, L. Wilson, F. McIvor, G. Fable, A. Bonaddio
NORTH HEIDELBERG
Best Players: K. Jaksic, K. McDonald, D. Bramich, L. Gilbert, R. McGhie, S. Biggs
Goal Kickers: D. Bramich, S. Harvey, J. Jones
