Montmorency kept its perfect season intact with a 45-point victory over Heidelberg at Warringal Park in Round 13.
A nine-goal unanswered run from the first quarter to halfway through the third led the Magpies to their 13th win of the season, 16.11 (107) to 8.14 (62).
Montmorency got off to a sluggish start in the first quarter, kicking only 1.4 to register their second-lowest score at quarter time for the season.
While things looked promising early for the Tigers, who were moving the ball on quickly and creating space, their fortunes quickly changed as they struggled to find their run thereafter and missed numerous opportunities on goal.
As the rain started to get heavier in the second half, the intensity again picked up a notch with both teams ferociously throwing their body at the ball in the trying conditions.
The Magpies adapted to the conditions better in the second and third quarters, moving the ball on quickly rather than trying to pinpoint passes like the Tigers were.
A couple of late goals in the third quarter through Chaz Sargeant and Jordan Treloar reduced the Tigers’ deficit back to 27 points at three quarter time.
Heidelberg could sense it was still a chance after kicking the first goal of the fourth quarter through Danny Nolan. A goal to James Brooker for the Magpies was then quickly cancelled out by a goal from Luke Hodgkin to get the margin back to 20 points.
However, Heidelberg’s belief was quickly shut down through a 50m goal from Wayne Pavitt. Magpie key forward Patrick Fitzgerald and midfielder Jesse Donaldson put the result beyond doubt by kicking two last quarter goals.
Harley Ryan and Rowan Nayna supplied the Magpies with plenty of run from the back half, playing key roles in rebounding the ball out of defensive 50m. Ryan Willits not only took control of the ruck battle but managed to kick consecutive goals at the start of the third quarter in another strong performance.
Ben Walton had a busy first half, kicking four goals, before fading out of the game after half time. Magpies forward Fitzgerald dealt with the conditions better than any other forward on the ground. He kicked three goals for the game, which could have been six had his accuracy been as good as his marking.
Treloar and Sargeant were the Heidelberg’s forward targets but just weren’t given the time and space they have had in previous weeks due to Montmorency’s strong defence, which was without Michael Fitz-Gerald and Daniel Coghill.
Justin Murphy and Josh Houlihan played well when in charge of the sweeping role for the Tigers in defensive 50m, but a few undisciplined acts and skill errors cost the Tigers chances on goal and gifted goals to Montmorency.
Jamie Allen was Heidelberg’s best and picked up numerous clearances, inside 50s, tackles and possessions through the middle. The support just wasn’t there from the rest of the Tigers midfield when it was needed.
Heidelberg comes up against Lower Plenty in a fortnight, a team it lost to only five weeks ago. Montmorency travels to Macleod looking for its 14th consecutive win.
Final score: Heidelberg 8.14 (62) def by Montmorency 16.11 (107)
