Four consecutive goals to spearhead Ben Naylon in a 20-minute period was the catalyst for the victory, which saw the Bulldogs run out victorious 13.11 (89) to 11.8 (74).
To add insult to injury for the Demons, in-form follower Jai Norman left the field at the five-minute mark of the final quarter with what appeared to be a serious neck injury.
After trailing at the quarter time break, North booted clear in the second term with a six goal to nil quarter that was set up thanks to their dominance at stoppages, smashing the Demons 17 to 6.
Jason Dean was supreme in the ruck, giving first advantage to Leigh Gilbert, Daniel Bramich, and Stephen Saddington, while returning forward Shane Harvey provided plenty of spark up forward for North, kicking three goals.
For Diamond Creek, the absence of Ryan Burton was felt hard. Despite this Graeme Brown worked hard for four quarters, while the young legs of Bryce Adams and James Gebert worked hard throughout the match.
After an even first quarter that saw Diamond Creek lead by three points, North Heidelberg booted clear thanks to Naylon’s purple patch. Additional goals to Gilbert, Pasquale Saccuzzo and Harvey saw last year’s wooden spooner from Division 1, leading by 29 points at the main break.
Harvey snapped truly out of mid air to start the action for the third quarter, however the momentum swung to Diamond Creek 10 minutes in, as North’s discipline began to wane. Brown goaled thanks to a double 50 metre penalty, and then added a second after taking a strong contested mark.
When Brenton Hoppe snapped truly after sharking the ball from a boundary throw in, the Demons had a sniff of a comeback victory. Then Daniel O’Regan booted two goals in three minutes in time on and the chance of a massive win was real.
North Heidelberg coach Leigh Gray, gave his chargers a deserved serve at the three quarter time break, asking for his team to continue to work towards the club’s structures, and to keep its discipline.
However, the home side looked to have all the running when O’Regan marked and handballed to Brent Gutterson who kicked truly from the goal line.
Gutterson, who had booted 22 goals in the five games prior, had been blanketed by Leigh Bentley, but was able to bob up at the right moment.
But North regained its composure after the injury break to Norman, and steadied thanks to Naylon’s 16th of the season. When Massey booted his second the margin was back out to 14 points.
Rikki Stephens took a strong contested mark, and launched a 50 metre bomb to keep Diamond Creek in touch, but it was the former Essendon and North Melbourne player Harvey, who sealed the victory with his third after pushing off his opponent to take a tough mark.
North Heidelberg will head back home to Shelley Street this week to take on South Morang, while Diamond Creek faces another massive challenge when they host Fitzroy Stars at Coventry Oval.
Final score: Diamond Creek 11.8 (74) def by North Heidelberg 13.11 (89)
