A four-goal first term set up the win as the Dogs were able to take advantage of the ground’s notorious wind while restricting Lalor’s use of it.
North Heidelberg brought a free flowing brand of football and looked to play on at every opportunity. The side was also able to dominate stoppages, especially early, which allowed them move the ball quickly into the forward line.
Lalor will walk away from the game ruing missed opportunities. The Bloods’ inability to convert with the wind contributed to North’s scoreboard pressure and their disposal let them down at times especially when entering the forward 50.
North came out strong in the first term determined to make an impression in the first game of the season. The Dogs gained ascendency in the center and were able to move forward with ease, hitting up free men in the forward 50.
Lalor attempted to combat the wind with short kicks along the boundary but its skill errors were costly.
The Bloods looked to hit back with the wind in the second and forward pressure lead to early goals but midway through the quarter North began to get on top in the clearances and ended up outscoring Lalor for the quarter.
With the breeze at their backs the Dogs came out to put away Lalor in the third. North Heidelberg’s run, carry and overlap crated constant opportunities for their forwards who made the most of their opportunities. Lalor didn’t help their situation either with two 50 meter penalties resulting in goals.
In the last Lalor was able to get on top, however the Bloods could just not convert. They were able to trap North Heidelberg in their forward half but were inaccurate kicking 2.6. North was content to sit on the lead that it had already built up.
North Heidelberg won the game in the midfield; Villanti was superb in the ruck giving his on ballers first touch while applying pressure on the ground.
Saddington also impressed with both his contested and uncontested work, and he was often at the start or at the end of a good piece of play for the Dogs. Gilbert was the best of the forwards for North kicking four. He provided a constant target and always created a contest.
For Lalor, Polidano was excellent and he was at the bottom of the packs all day and won a lot of contested footy, dishing it out to the runners. One of which was Dowell who was exceptional on the wing he provided run as well as a marking target. Finally Hughes was solid off the half back line until he was moved forward in the last. He was the springboard for most of Lalor’s attacks in the first three quarters.
Next week Lalor will look for revenge at home against Epping, the team that knocked them out of the top two last year. Meanwhile North Heidelberg will hope to make it two from two against the Fitzroy Stars at home.
Final score: North Heidelberg 15.13 (103) def Lalor 7.11 (53)
