NORTH HEIDELBERG received a major scare from Mernda before progressing to the Division 2 Grand Final with a devastating final quarter burst.
It took until early in the final quarter for North to hit the front for the first time on a splendid Saturday afternoon at Whittlesea Showgrounds. Unbelievably, the Dogs were able to orchestrate an 87-point turnaround in defeating Mernda 19.14 (128) to 11.7 (73).
In Round 17, Mernda found itself 29 points ahead approaching time on in the second quarter. This time around, the Dogs were forced to come from 32 points behind when Luke Shelton goaled midway through the second term.
There were a number of strong performers that saw the Dees look a genuine chance to upset the Division 2 applecart and progress to the Grand Final.
Luke Shelton was strong through the middle, and had kicked two goals, including the opener within the first 30 seconds, which had set the tone for most of the opening half. David Hutchinson had four to his name, whereas Les Adams and Jai Robinson were also performing on the big stage.
In contrast, the Dogs once again had to rely on the genius of Shane Harvey, who kicked four of the Dogs’ six goals in the opening half.
He did have a little help from others. Jesse Tardio had played another strong game and Leigh Gilbert was progressing up the ground and won plenty of touches in the middle, as well as up forward.
However, one could sense the Dogs were perhaps on the cusp of a comeback.
Although Mernda had much of the possession and was, taking its chances by playing a near faultless first half, the Dogs had the capability to kick big scores within a quarter.
Often it would be the third quarter, with devastating performances against Lalor and Mernda examples of how the Dogs could score freely, while ruthlessly preventing opposition sides from scoring at all.
To Mernda’s credit, the third quarter was a battle. While North Heidelberg won the battle in the end, with Gilbert, Jake Brown and Harvey goaling, there was a growing sense that it could also win the war.
So it proved in the final quarter.
Eight points down at three quarter time, the Dogs’ had sensed that their opponent had given everything in the opening three quarters, and took advantage of the lack of legs that the Demons had.
It started with a Gilbert goal, before Brown put North Heidelberg in front for the first time. When Louis Hill and Marc Lonergan kicked goals, the margin was 16 points.
Another six goals – three from Harvey, two from Shaun Webster and another from Hill – meant North had kicked 10.3 in the final quarter, basically doubling its score of 9.11 which was attained in three quarters.
So despite the scare, it was a successful bounce back to form for North Heidelberg, serving a reminder to the Fitzroy Stars that their best football is truly devastating.
On top of that, Shane Harvey brought up goal number 100 in the third quarter. Harvey had the better of Krys Douglas this time around in another chapter of their fantastic rivalry, with Harvey kicking eight.
The result means that North Heidelberg’s senior and reserves sides will be playing on Grand Final day, with the opportunity to take out a double success next weekend at Preston City Oval.
For the Demons, a challenging yet successful season comes to an end – however, their opening half will hold them in great stead for 2015. Furthermore, their reserves have the chance for premiership glory against North Heidelberg.
Final score: North Heidelberg 19.14 (128) def Mernda 11.7 (73)
