Heidelberg moved to equal second on the Division 1 ladder with a 25-point victory over Bundoora at Yulong Reserve.
Chaz Sargeant again proved dangerous for the Tigers, kicking five goals for the second consecutive week in the 16.18 (114) to 14.5 (89) victory over the Bulls.
Players found it difficult to adapt to the conditions in the first half, with a strong breeze pushing across the ground. With only 11 goals kicked in the first half, a free-flowing second half saw 19 goals kicked and a much better game between the second and third-placed teams.
The first three goals of the game went to Bundoora through Cameron Cloke and Gary Moorcroft – who had two early goals. His second came from a mark of the year contender in the goal square, which will surely appear next week on the ‘NFL Top 5 Plays of the Week’.
Heidelberg was able to cut the margin to eight points at half time after trailing by almost five goals halfway through the second quarter. Errant kicking on goal was costly early for the Tigers who dominated patches of the first half without reward.
The rewards eventually started to come in the third quarter for Heidelberg with a six-goal to three quarter. Bundoora lacked zip and composure after the half time break. Run and carry was non-existent in the second half for the Bulls.
The heavens threatened to open at the start of the last quarter as the wind picked up, but it did nothing to slow down the Tigers’ charge for their ninth win of the season. Forward Lance Oswald kicked five goals for the match, three of those coming in the last quarter.
Oswald and Sargeant – both well held in the first half – were able to provide the marking and crumbing option that was much needed for the Tigers, who were unable to find a clear target in their forward 50m in the first half.
Mark Lynch was influential across the half back line for Heidelberg, gathering plenty of intercept marks and starting the switch on numerous occasions. Blair Harvey took his own ball out onto the ground as he gathered plenty of disposals.
Jess Sinclair, Jamie Allen and Robbie Allen were also among the Tigers’ better players.
The Bulls were unable to match it with Heidelberg from halfway through the third quarter through to the final siren. When the ball was able to get to Cloke one-on-one he proved dangerous, kicking four goals for the game.
Brent Marshall continued his good form for Bundoora, David Mitchell found himself in and under every pack he could get to, while Matthew Dennis regained some of his best form from last season.
The Bulls were without several players, with Ricky Dyson and Micheal Farrelly not taking their place in the team. When skipper Brayden Shaw went down from a hard hit to the head on the cricket pitch in the first quarter, the game got a lot tougher.
He was able to come back on but was unable to impact the game the way he had before the knock.
It doesn’t get any easier for Heidelberg next week against undefeated Montmorency at Warringal Park. Bundoora will look to get back onto the winners’ list against Epping at Yulong Reserve.
Final score: Bundoora 14.5 (89) def by Heidelberg 16.18 (114)
