Heidelberg have retained top spot on the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 ladder following an impressive six-goal victory over Bundoora at Yulong Reserve.
Both sides were 4-1 and in brilliant form heading into the match, the Bulls in particular who were aiming for their fifth consecutive win to start the 2022 season.
The contest lived up to its competitive billing in the first half, with just three points separating the two teams, but a 10 goal to four second half from the Tigers secured a 14.12 (96) to 8.12 (60) triumph.
It was a business as usual day for captain Sam Gilmore as well as midfielders Matthew Smith and Lachlan Wilson, all playing their parts to win crucial clearances for the visitors.
Josh Minogue was excellent up forward, kicking a season-high five majors, four of those in the second half, to cause plenty of headaches for the Bulls defence.
Tom Bellchambers and club debutant Charlie Wilson also provided good support for Minogue with two goals each.
Bulls co-captains Luke Collins and Brent Marshall stood up in their respective areas, winning plenty of the ball, whilst John Jorgensen was their leading goalkicker with two majors in a tough day for the Bundoora front half.
It was the Tigers who pressed hard early in the match as Bellchambers converted a simple set shot to get the ball rolling for the visitors.
Heidelberg continued to attack but had difficulty converting, kicking seven behinds for the term. Bundoora on the other hand were finding the big sticks a little easier, with Sam Lloyd and Kain Proctor kicking majors to level things up with a few moments remaining in the first term.
But a nice finish on goal from Joshua Daniel just before the quarter time siren ensured Heidelberg had the advantage at the first change.
The Bulls had the first major of the second term inside three minutes thanks Daniel Younan before the visitors again had the quick response thanks to goals from Minogue and Charlie Wilson.
The remainder of the term became hotly contested, with both defences proving difficult to kick scores against. However, right before the half-time siren sounded, 16-year-old Nate Caddy slotted a tough set shot for the Bulls to cut the margin to three points at the main break.
That margin would prove to be the closest the Bulls would get to the Tigers for the rest of the afternoon as Heidelberg picked up the pace.
Danny Nolan’s side were ruthless at the stoppages, with their impressive clearance work allowing Kai Kearns to kick the first of the term before Minogue quickly warmed up to kick the next two majors, creating a 22-point advantage.
Luke Collins then stood up with an important goal to get the margin back down to 16 points for the Bulls before Heidelberg, as they had done all day, responded within minutes, this time Jordan Smith finding the goals.
Both sides exchanged goals in a two-minute period late in the third term through Kyle Green and Charlie Wilson. But a major from John Jorgensen right before the three-quarter time siren to make it a 16-point ball and more importantly, gave the Bulls an opportunity.
But unfortunately for the Bulls, they couldn’t contain Heidelberg’s midfield dominance with two goals in the space of five minutes from Bellchambers and Minogue sealing Bundoora’s fate.
Minogue kicked a fifth in the late stages of the match with majors from Matthew McInerney and Charlie Robinson resulting in an even six goal triumph.
Heidelberg now face an even bigger next week when they host Greensborough in a mouth watering first vs second battle while the Bulls will meet an improved Northcote Park outfit next Saturday.
