HEIDELBERG finished the 2014 home and away season in style, with a come-from-behind seven-point victory over Macleod at De Winton Park.
Trailing at every change, the Tigers were able to kick five goals into the breeze in the final quarter to finish with a 13.10 (88) to 12.9 (81) victory to secure the minor premiership.
The result left Macleod’s finals hopes hanging in the balance, however Montmorency’s close win over West Preston-Lakeside ensured the Roos slipped into fifth place – providing the club its first Division 1 finals appearance in four decades.
The Kangaroos were in control of the game for most of the first three quarters. Whenever the Tigers started to gather momentum, Macleod was able to reply with a pair of goals to keep a solid lead.
Macleod played an exciting brand of football, playing on at every contest and displaying great run and carrying through the corridor into the wind.
The Tigers began to replicate the same game style in the third quarter when they began their charge.
The momentum started to swing in Heidelberg’s favour when Tiger forwards Allan Young and Kieren Andrew kicked late goals in the third quarter to reduce the margin to just three points at three quarter time.
The Tigers then went on to kick the first four goals of the final quarter to push out to a three-goal lead.
Just when the game appeared lost for the Kangaroos, late goals from Justin White and Jack Langford pushed the margin back to one point with one minute to play.
With everything riding on the centre clearance, the Tigers pushed the ball forward and into the hands of key forward Jordan Treloar.
Soaking up the seconds on the clock, Treloar was able to slot the sealer from 15 metres out to seal another memorable come-from-behind victory, similar to its win against West Preston-Lakeside two weeks earlier.
Heidelberg forwards Harley Mozdzierz, Charles Gaylard and Jordan Treloar were instrumental in the victory.
Mozdzierz pushed up the ground and made every contest a 50/50, rarely beaten in a one on one. Treloar spent most of his day deep in attack, kicking three goals along with Gaylard who also contributed three goals to the score sheet.
Along with the three key forwards, Michael Lobby, Paul Bower and Ben Cosgriff were also among the best for the Tigers in the midfield.
Macleod’s two key forwards also proved hard to contain with Jack Langford kicking four goals across the four quarters and Mathew Pow kicking three, all coming in the first half. Justin White, Cathal Corr and Reid Brandt were also among the Kangaroos best.
The final day of the regular season provided plenty of twists and turns. Macleod reached as high as third on the ladder during the day but at one point was sitting sixth outside the finals.
Heidelberg faced the simple equation of winning to get the week off or losing and facing an extra week of the finals next week. Midway during the third quarter it looked grim for the Tigers who were unable to handle the tricky conditions.
Next week marks the start of the 2014 Division 1 finals series. Macleod starts its campaign when it faces last year’s premier Bundoora in Sunday’s elimination final at Preston City Oval.
Heidelberg will spend the week off and progress to the second semi finals to face the winner of the Greensborough-Montmorency match for a place in the Grand Final.
Final score: Macleod 12.9 (81) def by Heidelberg 13.10 (88)
