Heidelberg have booked their spot in the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 Grand Final for a third consecutive year, after a 32-point victory over Montmorency in a terrific second semi-final at Preston City Oval.
The star power of Heidelberg proved too much for the Magpies on this occasion, with a five-goal to two opening term setting the tone of the final, while the Tigers also didn’t allow their opposition to kick more than two majors in a quarter on their way to prevailing 10.12 (72) to 5.10 (40).
Tom Keys was instrumental for the victorious team, named as his sides best player after a stirring display in midfield. His performance was well supported by Matthew Signorello who was also amongst his side’s top performers in what was just his fourth game of the season.
Jordan Smith led the scoring for the victors with three majors, the third time he has kicked three or more goals in a game this season.
Billy Jenkin found plenty of the football off the half-back line for the Magpies, clunking plenty of intercept marks as well, while Corey Sleep was lively as well and threatened to tear the game a part. He was his side’s only multiple goalkicker with two majors.
Heidelberg looked to get things going early, with Keys striking the first major of the day after he managed to claim a big mark inside 50 and had no troubles from straight in front.
The Tigers were putting together repeated entries inside 50, and while the Magpies defence held strong and prevented early score board damage initially, the minor premiers would still find ways to pierce through, highlighted by reigning Frank Rosbrook medallist Lachlan Wilson, who found Jordan Smith by hand, with Smith then delivering a classy goal from the boundary.
A reply was met immediately this time from Montmorency, with Corey Sleep perfectly timing his run to read the ball best and claim it off hands before converting his shot on the run to open the Magpies’ account in the final.
Zane Barzen quickly restored the advantage back to 12 points, before both sides went on to trade goals before the first break.
Barzen would have the last say of the term however, nailing his set shot moments before the siren to hand his side a comfortable 18-point quarter time lead.
The second quarter was a see-sawing affair, with the two teams having chances to take control of the match, but inaccuracy in front of the big sticks hurt both sides. Heidelberg kicked 1.6, whilst Montmorency managed 1.3.
The Magpies had a golden chance to kick the opening goal of the second period with streaming numbers open inside-50, but a mis executed pass towards the goal square was off target and went through for a behind.
It took 14-minutes for either side to find a goal, which would be delivered by Heidelberg thanks to Brayden Sier, with his sharp thinking seeing him soccer through the easiest of goals after a shot from Ben Nikolovski hit the goal umpire before crossing the line and bouncing back into play.
The reigning premiers continued to look the better side and would dominate the next 5-10 minutes of play, but a combination of poor kicking for goal and exceptional Montmorency defence saw them fail to find another major throughout the term.
Magpies spearhead Patrick Fitzgerald found the all-important goal against the momentum, slotting a miraculous major from a tight angle on his left foot, to bring the margin back to 21 points and give his side some life.
Holding that 21-point advantage heading into the second half, the Tigers looked to strike early and that they did via Sier who helped to produce two further majors for his side to boost the margin out further.
With their advantage sitting at 31 points halfway through the term, it looked as if Heidelberg were under enough control to run out the game, but that changed quickly.
Sleep produced another response for Montmorency, converting his checkside set shot from close range, before the following restart saw the Magpies win the clearance, and drive the ball low inside 50 to the leading Sleep, who found the closer option to goal in Ben Paterson.
Suddenly the margin reduced to 19 points, with Nick Rutley’s men continuing to dominate for the remainder of the quarter, however, they failed to put on any severe scoreboard damage.
Settling for a 20-point lead at the final change, Heidelberg would be quick to get the momentum going their way again in the final stanza, but it took a special goal from Jordan Smith, to get the Tigers fans up and about.
The defensive pressure from Dattoli’s men was outstanding all over the ground, which resulted in Smith hitting the scoreboard again late in the piece to put the result beyond any doubt and secure a 32-point triumph.
