There were statement wins everywhere you looked in Round 5 of Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1.
The headline act was Montmorency, which powered away to win by 110 points over Banyule and record a second consecutive three-figure win.
After kicking just 21 goals in their first three games, the Magpies have put up a staggering 49 majors in the last fortnight, rocketing to fifth on the ladder but currently holding the second-best percentage in the Division.
The result against the Bears on Saturday was well in hand by half time, as a seven goal to one quarter opened up a 44-point lead that blew out in the second half as Montmorency piled on 14 goals to four after the main break.
Marcus Lentini brought his own footy for the Magpies and had an absolute day out with a massive 52 disposals, 19 clearances and three goals. Nash Holmes wasn’t far behind with 41 touches of his own, 11 clearances and three goals. Matthew Clark continued his good form in front of goal with a bag of six.
For the Bears Jean-Luc Vellisaris continued to find the footy, but it’s a deflating loss for Banyule which will need to regroup for a clash at home with Eltham next week.
Greensborough kept itself in touch with the top five thanks to a much-needed 21-point win over Diamond Creek.
It wouldn’t be a game to keep in the memory bank for either side with just 12 goals kicked across the afternoon, but the Borough will take it nonetheless as they improved to 2-3 on the season. They led from start to finish and kept the Demons at bay for the majority of the afternoon.
Jackson Davies and Harrison Andronaco continue to be among the major ball winners for Greensborough and Brody Glenn was the only multiple goal kicker on the day with a couple. For the Demons, Jacob Booth did plenty of the tough stuff with 30 disposals, 12 tackles and 11 clearances, but it was again a tale inaccuracy for Diamond Creek as they kicked themselves out of the game with 4.10 for the afternoon.
The Demons now find themselves outside the top five for the first time this season, having dropped their last couple of games. Greensborough faces a real test against the red-hot Montmorency next week.
Eltham has staved off North Heidelberg to record its third win of the season and move to fourth spot, prevailing by 18 points in one of the real arm-wrestles of the day.
Scoring was difficult to come by in the first term, but the game became more free flowing from then on as both teams were able to hit the scoreboard with more efficiency. Eltham could have been in the box seat at half time, were it not for a scoreline that read 4.9.
Turning for home with a 14-point lead, the Panthers finally found their range, kicking five straight goals in the final term to keep the Dogs at arm’s length despite the visitors also kicking four final-quarter goals.
Colm Culligan was instrumental for the Panthers with five goals from his 20 disposals, as was Alex Jacobs who earned best afield honours with 21 disposals and six clearances.
Curtis Brown continues to find plenty of the footy for North Heidelberg with another 40-disposal game and Parker Heatley had his best game in front of goal for the season with five majors.
North Heidelberg certainly isn’t out of the top five conversation but faces a tough task hosting Hurstbridge next week.
Hurstbridge played one of the matches of the day against Bundoora, winning by 13 points and overcoming a 26-point deficit in the first half.
The Bulls started hot, kicking five of the first six goals to throw down the gauntlet to the home side, who responded with four of the next five majors to cut the lead to eight points at the main break.
From there the Bridges took another gear and showed why they’re one of the teams to watch in 2026, kicking six goals to three in the second half to secure their fourth win of the season.
Ethan Taylor was outstanding with three crucial goals, as was Lachlan East who patrolled the defensive fifty for Hurstbridge with authority all day. Liam Kolar and Peter McEvoy were pillars for Bundoora and had real influence at stoppages all over the ground and Michael Fitz-Gerald deserves a nod for his job on Hurstbridge spearhead Joel Naylor, who went goalless.
Heidelberg cruised to a big win in the final game of the day, demolishing West Preston Lakeside at Warringal Park by 127 points.
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Roosters who were able to match the Tigers early on, but the home side eventually flexed their muscles as they so often do to put a big margin on the scoreboard.
Jack Andrew kicked seven goals for the home side, with Zane Barzen (four) Tom Keys and Brayden Sier (three apiece) all getting involved. Solomon Mckay was also impressive in his first appearance of the season, coming back from VFL commitments.
Kristian Lawson and Nathan Ryan were standouts for West Preston Lakeside, but the Roosters remain at the foot of the table for now. They face Diamond Creek next week in a game that although is only in Round 6, could have season-defining effects.
