Heidelberg secured a stirring come-from-behind victory over second-placed West Preston-Lakeside to honour club legend Mark Favrin.
Favrin kicked two goals in his 200th club game to help the Tigers to a 14.7 (91) to 10.8 (68) win at Warringal Park in Round 8 of Meadows Greyhounds Division 1.
Trailing by three goals at three quarter time, the Tigers booted eight goals to one in the final term to secure their fifth win of the season.
Sam Grimley was the star for the Tigers in the final term, kicking two goals and causing havoc up forward.
In defence, Josh Gribben was as important as any Heidelberg player in the final quarter. Gribben took a solid mark, which transitioned into the Tigers first goal of the term and then assisted in Grimley’s goal that put the Tigers in front.
West Preston-Lakeside, Matthew Harman was dominant in the ruck and got forward to kick a goal, while Luke Lirosi and Liam McVeigh were solid.
The Roosters would be disappointed to lose a game they were comfortably leading for three quarters of the day.
West Preston-Lakeside appeared the superior side in the opening stages of the game and kicked the opening two goals, courtesy of Patrick Karnezis and Ahmed Saad.
Heidelberg found it difficult to get the ball forward and it took over 10 minutes for the Tigers to kick their opening goal, via Matt Cecchin.
Chaz Sargeant kicked the Tigers second to tie up the scores, before the Roosters kicked three of the final four goals of the term to end the quarter with a 10-point lead.
West Preston-Lakeside began the second term in the same fashion as the first, kicking the opening goal of the quarter.
The Roosters ball use was immaculate. The visitors handballed their way through Heidelberg’s press to find Lirosi free on the 50 metre mark to convert the goal.
The second term was tighter than the first and this saw scoring dry up. Both sides found it difficult to break through the defences and this resulted in the game being played through midfield.
West Preston-Lakeside showed why it was second on the table leading into the game by dominating the third term.
The Roosters had plenty of possession and looked superior around the ground, but could only kick two goals, courtesy of Lirosi and Nathan Valladares.
The milestone man, Favrin kicked a goal just before the three quarter time siren to give Heidelberg a sniff in the final term.
Favrin’s goal proved telling as the Tigers dominated the final term.
Josh Minogue, Michael Finn and Sam Grimley kicked the first three goals to tie the scores.
West Preston-Lakeside players could be heard trying to motivate their teammates to lift, but it fell on deaf ears as the Tigers continued to surge forward.
Heidelberg got out to a four-goal lead, before Aidan Tilley reduced the margin for the Roosters.
But with only a matter of minutes remaining, the Tigers could celebrate the win – their second over the Roosters this season.
Heidelberg will travel to resurgent Northcote Park in Round 9, while West Preston-Lakeside hosts ladder-leader Macleod.
Final scores: Heidelberg 14.7 (91) def West Preston-Lakeside 10.8 (68)
