Heidelberg remain the only undefeated side in the top-flight after beating Montmorency by 42-points in the Melbourne Greyhound’s Division 1 grand final rematch.
The Tigers looked a class above the brave Magpies, increasing their lead at every break in a professional 15.20 (110) to 10.8 (68) victory.
Heidelberg’s regular standouts Luke Bunker, Matthew Signorello and Brody Tardio all won large swathes of possession, whilst 20-year-old Angus Curry looked lively in his second game for the Tigers.
Nathan Honey and William Bella shared the leading goalkickers title with four apiece, whilst Brayden Sier, Dylan Clarke and Corey Sleep rounded out the multiple goal scorers list.
Despite eventually relenting to the class and skill of Vin Datoli’s triple-reigning premiership side, the Magpies never dropped their heads.
Patrick Dozzi worked relentlessly against a star-studded midfield, while Flynn Riley battled bravely in ruck and as a contested marking option.
Glimpses of the future shone brightly at stages for Montmorency, as Aaron Doyle, Levi McCormack and Brodie Jones collected healthy portions of the footy. But in the end it was Heidelberg’s disciplined talent which saw them claim the win.
The Magpies best footy came from the first quarter, as Stefan Uzelac and William Bella slotted the first two goals, before Lachan Wilson kick-started Heidelberg’s momentum.
The Tigers claimed the only two other goals of the quarter, despite the Magpies having more inside 50s, as three touched behinds left Montmorency fans shaking their heads with their team trailing by five points at the first break.
If Nick Rutley’s men were to pull off the unthinkable result, then it was their senior leaders who looked to be the leading contributors.
Billy Jenkin was the key orchestrator for defensive ball movement, while Marcus Lentini fought valiantly against the star-studded Heidelberg midfield. But for every question raised, the Tigers had an answer.
Vin Dattoli’s men managed ten scoring shots to six in the second term, as Brayden Sier continued to cause headaches up forward.
Brody Tardio’s fantastic intercept turnover to goal was the term’s highlight, with the star relishing off Montmorency’s risky quick ball movement to stream into a running goal.
The lead ballooned to 26-points during time-on after Dylan Clarke found his 5th of the season, but two crucial late goals from Corey Sleep and Connor Butcher kept the Magpies alive with a 14-point deficit at the main break.
That would be the closest Montmorency would get. Looking unnerved, Vin Dattoli’s men rode the waves of pressure and dominated the third term with another double-digit quarter of scoring attempts.
Chances became fleeting for the Magpies as Dylan Clarke, Luke Bunker, Nathan Honey and Angus Curry all piled on goals, while Nick Rutley’s men were kept to just the two goals from three shots.
As has been the theme of the season, the ruthless Tigers were in no mood to rest on their 31-point lead in the final term.
Jackson Bowne tried to inspire a comeback with a miraculous snap, but the Tigers held up movement and never truly looked threatened.
Late goals to Zane Barzen and Nathan Honey capped off a fantastic afternoon for Heidelberg at a venue which has seen close encounters in recent years.
Having comfortably beaten both fellow members of last season’s top three, the Tiger train looks set to steamroll on towards a record-equalling fourth consecutive premiership.
