A YEAR’S work comes to an end on Saturday for North Heidelberg and Hurstbridge, as they vie for the 2016 Division 2 premiership at Preston City Oval.
Both clubs have had outstanding seasons and have deserved their place in the grand final, after finishing the season as the top two sides in the competition.
North Heidelberg will be looking for its second flag in three seasons and secure an automatic return to Division 1, after suffering relegation last season.
On the other end of the spectrum, Hurstbridge will be looking for its first premiership since 2010 and only its third since entering the league in 1988.
It will be the second time these sides have met in this year’s finals series following an entertaining second semi final at Epping Recreation Reserve two weeks ago.
With the match evenly poised, Hurstbridge held an eight-point lead at three quarter time, before North Heidelberg piled on six final-term goals to seal its place in the grand final.
Star forward Shane Harvey proved his worth once again by booting six goals in a match-winning display, which included a dominant last term, while Daniel Bramich was also a standout performer for the Bulldogs.
The win allowed Stephen Saddington’s side to advance straight through to the grand final, while Hurstbridge had to face local rival Diamond Creek in last week’s preliminary final.
Hoping to avoid the same fate as last season when they exited the finals in straight sets, the Bridges had to dig deep against the Demons to come away with the 22-point win.
In a game based more on stoppages than a pure goal for goal battle, the Bridges scored 25 points fewer than their season average, yet still notched up the win.
Having the pressure to perform after a quiet semi final, Chris Burton stood up and kicked three goals, while Jarrod Tiley worked hard in midfield and John Kreuzer was a mammoth in the ruck.
Although Hurstbridge would have been unhappy to not win its first final against the Bulldogs, there is a statistic that suggests they could be in the box seat to win this year’s premiership.
Teams who have won the preliminary final have gone on to win the past three Division 2 premierships. Not since Epping’s triumph in 2012 has the side that won the second semi final won the grand final.
While that statistic favours Hurstbridge, it will need to overcome a North Heidelberg side in lethal form.
The Bulldogs have won eight consecutive games since losing to the Bridges at Ben Frilay Oval in Round 11.
In the eight games the Bulldogs have scored an average of 107 points and conceded an average of just 73 – proving not only do they score heavily, but they also defend well.
Contrary to the Bulldogs’ run of form, Hurstbridge has won only four of its past nine games, with its past three wins prior to last week’s preliminary final triumph coming against the bottom three sides in the division.
But as they say a grand final is different to any other game and it is when players can become legends. It goes without saying, both sides have star quality running through their line ups.
For North Heidelberg, Shane Harvey has deservedly received countless accolades for his ability to kick bags of goals and also bring other teammates into the game.
Bulldogs skipper Leigh Gilbert has enjoyed another sensational season, with his versatility again on display. Gilbert has booted 28 goals for the season and looms as a key player in determining the outcome this weekend.
Ruckman Michael Florence has again had a superb season and has been listed among North Heidelberg’s best performers on 10 occasions this season, while Jesse Tardio has been a regular ball winner and has kicked 10 goals from the midfield.
For Hurstbridge, Chris Burton is the star up forward with 57 goals this season, while Lachlan East, Tyron Loader and Riley Reading have been in the best many times thoroughout the year.
After missing last week’s preliminary final win, Hurstbridge will hope to have Tom Simpson back in its line-up this weekend, with the 19-year-old made for the big stage.
Simpson has booted 34 goals this campaign and provides an X-factor for the Bridges.
The experience of Brayden Shaw, Micheal Farrelly and John Kreuzer will be counted upon by the Bridges’ youngsters.
All three have won multiple premierships over the past five years, with Shaw and Farrelly recipients of the best on ground medallions in Bundoora’s 2013 and 2011 grand final wins respectively.
Both sides love to attack and have averaged over 100 points this season. One can only hope for a thrilling conclusion to what has been another entertaining season of Division 2 football.
RADIO: A live radio broadcast of the Division 2 Grand Final between North Heidelberrg and Hurstbridge can be heard on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM.
DOWNLOAD: A high-definition digital download of the grand final can be purchased at www.northernfl.tv seven days after game. The price of the digital download is $22.
SEASON STATS
NORTH HEIDELBERG
14 wins – 3 losses
Points For – 1708, Average For – 100
Points Against – 1264, Average Against – 74
Average Winning Margin – 42
Average Losing Margin – 46
Leading Goal Kicker – Shane Harvey (72)
Most Times In Best – Michael Florance (10)
HURSTBRIDGE
13 wins – 5 losses
Points For – 1796, Average For – 100
Points Against – 1242, Average Against – 69
Average Winning Margin – 52
Average Losing Margin – 25
Leading Goal Kicker – Chris Burton (57)
Most Times In Best – Riley Reading (8)
HEAD TO HEAD IN 2016
Second Semi Final: North Heidelberg 14.10 (94) def Hurstbridge 11.11 (77)
North Heidelberg
Goal Kickers: S. Harvey 6, L. Gilbert 2, M. Lonergan, T. Scannell, Z. Gleeson, J. Iezzi, J. Jones, K. McDonald
Best Players: D. Bramich, S. Harvey, M. Lonergan, C. Rooney, T. Scannell, J. Tardio
Hurstbridge
Goal Kickers: N. Milne 4, M. Hymus 2, M. Burton 2, T. Loader, C. Burton, J. Tilley
Best Players: T. Loader, M. Hymus, S. Jellie, M. Farrelly, J. Barbera, D. Eames
Round 16: North Heidelberg 13.16 (94) def Hurstbridge 8.12 (60)
North Heidelberg
Goals: S. Harvey 4, J. Iezzi 2, K. McDonald 2, L. Gilbert 2, K. Green, M. Mahony, J. Tardio
Best: D. Bramich, P. Saccuzzo, J. Tardio, M. Hill, M. Florance, C. Rooney
Hurstbridge
Goals: C. Burton 2, R. Reading, B. Shaw, J. Tilley, A. Burns, R. Graham, R. Frost
Best: J. Tilley, T. Simpson, T. Loader, J. Kreuzer, R. Reading, K. Thompson
Round 11: Hurstbridge 13.16 (94) def North Heidelberg 11.9 (75)
Hurstbridge
Goals: A. Burns 4, C. Burton 3, T. Simpson 3, K. Thompson, L. East, D. Eames
Best: R. Graham, A. Burns, J. Tilley, B. Shaw, T. Loader, R. Reading
North Heidelberg
Goals: S. Harvey 4, M. Lonergan 2, K. Green 2, A. Habchi, Z. Gleeson, L. Gilbert
Best: P. Saccuzzo, M. Florance, D. Bramich, L. Villanti, J. Iezzi, L. Gilbert
Round 4: Hurstbridge 18.11 (119) def North Heidelberg 11.11 (77)
Hurstbridge
Goal Kickers: C. Burton 6, N. Milne 2, T. Simpson 2, B. Shaw 2, K. Frost, D. Eames, M. Dale, R. Frost, R. Graham, M. Burton
Best Players: J. Thompson, R. Reading, J. Barbera, C. Burton, K. Frost, B. Shaw
North Heidelberg
Goal Kickers: S. Harvey 4, L. Edmondson 2, D. Bramich 2, K. Green, J. Tardio, L. Gilbert
Best Players: B. Tardio, M. Florance, M. Hill, L. Gilbert, D. Bramich, L. Edmondson
