HEIDELBERG registered the first win of the new NFL season, with a 37-point win over Northcote Park in the 2013 season opener.
The Tigers led from start to finish in the 15.15 (105) to 9.14 (68) win, in front of a huge crowd at Bill Lawry Oval.
Northcote Park’s fans were all smiles pre-game with the unfurling of the 2012 premiership flag.
However, bad news was to follow with skipper Bronik Davies a late withdrawal from the selected team, joining injured duo Paul Scanlon and Narby Kelly on the sidelines.
In the absence of Davies and Scanlon, Heidelberg’s midfield controlled the contest, led by a number of new recruits.
Lance Oswald was terrific in his first game for the Tigers, while fellow new faces Jamie Allan and Mark Lynch also impressed. Brad Miller was serviceable up forward in his NFL debut and kicked a goal in the final quarter.
Heidelberg coach Ryan Smith said he was pleased with the win given the limited time his new side had been given to gel together.
“I was impressed and I still think we can get better. We’ve got a lot of areas to improve,” Smith said.
“We had 10 new players in our side from last season tonight and 12 players who didn’t play in the Grand Final. It’s going to take them a while but hopefully we hit our straps around Round 12 or 13 and then launch into the finals series.”
Smith said the club had identified midfield speed as an area it needed to address during the off-season and he would have been happy with his side’s ability to run and spread on the wide expanses of the big Northcote ground.
“Obviously what (Northcote Park) did to us last year we knew we had to pick up speed in the pre-season and we did that,” he said.
“The guys are really fit and we’ve had a strong pre-season so hopefully we benefit from that.
“Lance Oswald through the midfield, I thought he was pretty underrated tonight, he had a great game. He did a lot of unselfish stuff.
“I thought Jamie Allan was fantastic. He’s a seasoned player and is going to be a great asset for us.
“Brad Miller obviously the more we learn to use him and kick the ball to the right positions the better he’s going to be.”
The Tigers controlled the game from the outset and booted the only two goals of the opening quarter through utility Joel Harris and Justin Powick.
Swingman Julian Violato (five goals) finally registered Northcote Park’s first major early in the second term, however it was countered by goals to Jess Sinclair and Jordan Treloar as the visitors opened up a 21-point lead.
That margin was cut to nine with five minutes remaining in the half courtesy of two more goals to Violato – a margin which was flattering to the home side given Heidelberg’s control of the opening 45 minutes of the contest.
But just as Northcote Park looked like it had done enough to work its way back into the contest, a run of three quick goals late in the second term split the game open as Heidelberg took a 27-point lead into the main break.
Treloar kicked the first of the three goals after marking strongly 15 metres from goal. The former Cougar then set up Chaz Sargeant with a lovely 50 metre pass, before Oswald kicked a miraculous goal on the half-time siren.
Koden Colman – a six-goal hero on Grand Final day – lifted in the third term to get the Cougars back into the contest, however some wasteful moments meant the reigning premiers could never close any nearer than 18 points.
A fine snap from new ruckman Jai Middleton and a set shot from Colman late in the term left the Cougars 19 points behind at the last change.
However, the game was sealed five minutes into the last term following a silky goal to Sinclair – after dancing around Anthony Ruggieri standing the mark – and Miller’s first for his new club.
Violato fought hard up forward in a losing battle for the home side and snagged another two goals, however the Tigers always had the quick reply as they countered any sniff of a comeback.
Heidelberg next week hosts newcomer Epping, while Northcote Park travels to De Winton Park looking to rebound against Macleod.
Final score: Northcote Park 9.14 (68) def by Heidelberg 15.15 (105)
