NORTH HEIDELBERG began the 2014 season in style with a resounding 84-point win over the Fitzroy Stars at Shelley Street Reserve.
The Bulldogs were able to get out of the blocks quickly and never looked back, running away with a 19.11 (125) to 5.11 (41) win over last season’s beaten Division 2 grand finalist.
Lachlan Dowling was a standout up forward for the Dogs, kicking seven goals. He was assisted by teammates Shane Harvey and Matthew Mahony, who each slotted three goals.
Looking to improve on last year’s preliminary final appearance, North Heidelberg came out firing, kicking six goals to zero in a stunning first term.
It was much of the same throughout the second term with Fitzroy putting up very little resistance and going into the main break 43 points down.
It seemed as though the Stars would be able to close the gap early in the second half, locking the ball inside their attacking half in the opening minutes of the third quarter.
However, they couldn’t sustain their early ascendency as the Bulldogs piled on seven unanswered goals, including three to Dowling to go into the final break with an unassailable 73-point lead.
No matter what the Stars did, they couldn’t break the Bulldogs’ momentum. It was the home side continued to do the attacking, going ahead by as much as 96 points in the final term.
The Stars were able to kick consecutive goals for the first time late in the match, but when the final siren sounded they were left wondering what they had to change to turn around the deficit the next time the two clubs meet.
The run and carry from North Heidelberg through the middle of the ground set up many opportunities throughout the match. A great team effort was also a major contributing factor to the huge win, with every player on the ground having an impact.
In Round 2, North Heidelberg will take on Mernda, who defeated Panton Hill by 70 points in the season opener. Fitzroy will look to get its first win for the 2014 season against Diamond Creek at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
Final score: North Heidelberg 19.11 (125) def Fitzroy Stars 5.11 (41)
