HURSTBRIDGE extended its unbeaten run to nine games with a dramatic nine-point win over North Heidelberg at Ben Frilay Oval in Round 11.
Goalless and trailing by 50 points at half time, the Bulldogs fought their way back into the match but fell agonisingly short of a memorable comeback, as the Bridges held on for a 13.16 (94) to 11.19 (85) win.
The result moved Hurstbridge three wins and percentage clear in first place on the Division 2 ladder, with the club looking destined to take out the minor premiership at the end of the home and away season.
Robert Graham was named best afield for the Bridges, while the likes of Brayden Shaw, Jarrod Tilley and Tyron Loader all played influential roles.
Aron Burns was the star up forward, kicking four majors, while Chris Burton and Tom Simpson both slotted three.
For the Bulldogs, Shane Harvey kicked four, including three crucial last-quarter goals, while Kyle Green and Marc Lonergan both kicked two.
Pasquale Saccuzzo was named best for the visitors for his lockdown job on Tom Simpson after quarter time, with the Bridges’ young gun booting all his three goals in the opening half.
Michael Florance, Daniel Bramich and Josh Iezzi were all influential in the Bulldogs’ second half fight back.
Hurstbridge was able to come out of the blocks fast, kicking the first goal through Dale Eames before Chris Burton was able to get on the board.
Inaccurate kicking meant the margin didn’t reflect the Bridges’ early dominance, however two goals each to Burns and Simpson saw the home side race out to a 40-point quarter time lead.
North Heidelberg sent Saccuzzo to Simpson early in the second term after he kicked his third major following the restart of play.
An inaccurate quarter from both sides saw a combined 2.10 kicked as the Bridges went 50 points ahead at the main break, with the Bulldogs contained to just eight behinds in the first half.
Hurstbridge had the first two shots at goal in the third term but couldn’t convert either, before North Heidelberg went down the other end and kicked its first through Zac Gleeson.
The Bulldogs were able to kick the next three goals to reduce to margin to 27 points midway through the quarter.
However, three goals to Hurstbridge, including Burns’ third, saw the margin blow back out to 44 points, before a late goal to Lonergan gave the Bulldogs a glimmer of hope heading into the final term.
Andre Habchi converted early in the last quarter for North Heidelberg as the away side continued its momentum early.
A 50-metre penalty handed Green his first goal, before Harvey kicked two more in the next three minutes to move the Bulldogs within three points of the lead.
Hurstbridge was able to wrestle back the advantage with goals to Burton and Burns before Green kicked his second for the Bulldogs to give them some hope late.
As the siren went the Hurstbridge players and faithful alike breathed a sigh of relief.
Coach Rob Dyson was impressed with his side’s first half but admitted they were “outworked” late in the match.
“(North Heidelberg) lifted their intensity and they worked a lot harder than they did in the first half,” Dyson said.
Hurstbridge will benefit from the bye this week and freshen up before travelling to Coventry Oval to face Diamond Creek. Meanwhile, North Heidelberg travels to A.E Cracknell Reserve to face Panton Hill in Round 12.
Final score: Hurstbridge 13.16 (94) def North Heidelberg 11.19 (85)
