Heidelberg have gone back-to-back in the NFNL Division 1 Reserves competition, powering home to defeat Montmorency by 54 points at Preston City Oval.
In what was almost the complete opposite to the side’s qualifying final meeting three weeks ago, the Tigers produced an eight-goal second half and kept the Magpies to just two majors from nine scoring shots on their way to a comprehensive 11.7 (73) to 2.7 (19) triumph.
It’s the club’s 15th premiership in the reserves competition and the first time they have won consecutive flags since 2007-2008.
Jordan Sutterby finished with the best on ground medallion following a superb defensive display. After missing out on a premiership last year due to injury, Sutterby made the big stage his own and was crucial in helping keep Montmorency out of the contest.
Joel Kleiman starred up forward with four majors to finish with 29 goals in 12 reserves matches in 2024, while Michael Finn and Kellan Smith also impressed in the Tigers’ win.
Montmorency could barely get the game on their terms and were unable to make the most of the chances they did create throughout the afternoon, seeing them kick their lowest score of the season.
Anthony Bernardi finished as the Magpies best, capping off a solid two months for the 26-year-old, where he has been named in his side’s best in six of his previous seven matches.
Despite kicking against a slight breeze to start the game, Montmorency were able to win the territory in the opening stages. But it didn’t last long as once the Tigers settled into the contest, the pressure started to mount on the Magpies.
Much of the play in the opening term was between the arcs before Jack Andrew would find the big sticks for the Tigers just moments before quarter time to help get thing started for his side.
With a six-point quarter time lead, the reigning premiers threatened to break the game open when Kleiman kicked truly at the six-minute mark of the second term.
The Tigers then dominated play for almost the entirety of the quarter and only inaccuracy stopped them from building a strong half time advantage.
They would eventually get reward for effort with a third major, but that was cancelled out after Dylan Costantin was the benefactory of a 50-metre penalty, before converting his set shot to give the Magpies some hope as they trailed by 16 points at the main break.
The third term would prove to be the defining quarter of the match, as after each side traded goals inside 11 minutes of play, the Tigers would run riot with three majors in four minutes to balloon their lead out to 33 points halfway through the term.
Montmorency struggled to keep up with their Tiger counterparts but were afforded opportunities to reduce the deficit late in the quarter, however they only managed three further behinds.
With the margin at five straight kicks at the final break, another three-goal surge in a four-minute window during the last quarter sealed Heidelberg’s premiership win.
It was a quarter that showcased the Tigers’ strengths, with their frantic pressure and clinical transition football helping to cap off another terrific season by the men in yellow and black.
