Following Bundoora’s 21-point loss to Northcote Park last weekend, the Magpies and Tigers remain the only unbeaten teams in the top flight in 2013 and the winner of this week’s clash will assume a one-game lead at the top of the ladder.
The sides met in a similar battle in Round 14 last season, where Heidelberg won a two-point thriller in atrocious condition at Montmorency Park where only eight goals were booted all day.
Given the sunny forecast for this weekend, this match should be a far more memorable encounter.
Montmorency won its third consecutive game under Jack Cole last weekend when it comfortably accounted for Eltham in the Round 3 Match of the Day.
The Magpies extended their lead at every change and never looked troubled in the 34-point win. Defenders Shane Tennant, Michael Fitz-Gerald and Daniel Coghill easily controlled Eltham’s dangerous forwards – keeping Paul Currrie and Round 2 nine-goal hero Ryan Hocking to just one goal combined.
The win followed impressive victories over Greensborough and West Preston-Lakeside in the opening fortnight of the season – dismissing any potential murmurings that the club would fall off the pace this year following a number of high-profile departures from its playing list.
In an ominous sign for the rest of the competition, the Magpies team last weekend didn’t contain new recruits Harley Ryan or Mark McKenzie, nor young guns Alik Magin and James Brooker. Rowan Nayna – who finished second in the 2012 Essendon District Football League best and fairest – will also only get better, so there is still plenty of scope for improvement in the Magpies.
Heidelberg was forced to fight hard for its 26-point win over Greensborough at Warringal Park last weekend in blustery conditions.
Jamie Allan was dominant again for the Tigers, underlining his star quality. The former Ovens and Murray best and fairest winner has polled eight of a possible nine votes in the Coaches Player of the Year award and would have to be an early favourite for the 2013 Frank Rosbrook Medal.
Brad Miller also impressed for the second straight week booting four goals – the most of any player on the field. The former Melbourne and Richmond forward has kicked 10 goals in his past two outings. With 11 goals in three games he sits second on the goal kicking table behind only Gary Moorcroft.
Fellow recruits Jordan Treloar and Chaz Sargeant have also been productive alongside Miller, combining for 13 goals in the opening three rounds.
Heidelberg has had the wood on Montmorency in recent years. The Tigers have won four of five encounters since 2011 – including the 2012 second semi final where it prevailed by 20 points at Preston City Oval.
Past Five Meetings
Second Semi Final: 2012: Montmorency 13.11 (89) def by Heidelberg 17.7 (109)
Round 14, 2012: Montmorency 4.7 (31) def by Heidelberg 4.9 (33)
Round 5, 2012: Heidelberg 8.6 (54) def by Montmorency 20.9 (129)
Round 14, 2011: Heidelberg 14.12 (96) def Montmorency 8.6 (54)
Round 1, 2011: Montmorency 13.12 (90) def by Heidelberg 16.15 (111)
