Greensborough made a major statement in the return to action, romping to a 57-point victory over North Heidelberg at Shelley Park in Round 15 of Meadows Greyhounds Division 1.
Just three points separated the sides at half time, before Greensborough broke away with 14 second-half goals to win 19.8 (122) to 10.5 (65).
The result gave Greensborough its third-consecutive win and helped the Boro take second spot from Bundoora on percentage.
North Heidelberg remains in fifth position but now looks out of contention to take a double chance into the finals for the third-successive campaign.
Brody Tickell and Tom Bell kicked 10 goals between them in an enjoyable day out in front of goal for Greensborough.
Michael Croxford, Josh Callaway and Rayden Garrard were also key contributors further afield for the victors.
Kyle McDonald and Jack Mapleson were the best performers for the Bulldogs, while Billy Hogan had an immediate impact in his return from injury and kicked three goals.
North Heidelberg made a promising start and kicked the opening goal of the game through Shane Harvey.
Neither side was able to truly break the shackles in the opening term, with the teams sharing the four goals in a low-scoring first term.
Ahead by a point at quarter time, Greensborough threatened to break away with the game in the second quarter before a Bulldogs fight back.
Jordon Bulman kicked the first goal of the second term for the home side, before Greensborough kicked the next three.
Bell put the away side in front with a clever snap from the pocket, before Andrew Stellas and Tickell followed with majors of their own to give the Boro a three-goal lead.
With the game threatening to slip away from them, the Bulldogs responded with two goals before half time to cut the deficit to just three points at the main break.
The match broke open in the third term, and it was Greensborough who did most of the scoreboard damage, kicking five goals to one.
Tickell and Bell scored the opening two goals of the quarter to tighten Greensborough’s grip on the game.
Tickell was then gifted another when he was awarded a downfield free kick in the goal square to slot his fourth of the game.
McDonald managed to peg one back against the run of play, but it did little to halt the Boro, who added another before three-quarter time via Bell, which extended the difference to 28 points at the last change.
Hogan provided a spark for North Heidelberg early in the final term, kicking the opening two goals of the quarter.
However, it was to be as close as the Bulldogs could get, with Greensborough piling on the next nine goals in succession.
Tickell kicked the first two goals in the chain to finish the day with six goals. His sixth would be his best of the game, converting from tight on the boundary from long range.
Greensborough’s win was capped off by Michael Croxford, who pushed forward to kick his first goal of the season.
It was one to remember too, with the defender launching a torpedo from outside 50m to help his side cruise to a 57-point victory.
Final score: North Heidelberg 10.5 (65) def by Greensborough 19.8. (122)
NORTH HEIDELBERG
Goal Kickers: B. Hogan 3, S. Harvey, A. Braendler, C. Howden-Crhak, J. Bulman, K. Jaksic, K. McDonald, C. Brown
Best Players: K. McDonald, J. Mapleson, C. Le Fanu, B. Bailey, B. Hogan, K. Jaksic
GREENSBOROUGH
Goal Kickers: B. Tickell 6, T. Bell 4, B. Fennell 3, J. Johnston, M. Hill, M. Croxford, B. Pannam, J. Ireland, A. Stellas
Best Players: B. Tickell, T. Bell, M. Croxford, J. Callaway, R. Garrard, L. Agnew
