Montmorency claim dominant NFL Division 1 win over Northcote Park thanks to Pat Fitzgerald goal haul

Montmorency star forward Pat Fitzgerald was at his unstoppable best on Saturday, booting 11 goals as the Magpies disposed of NFL Division 1 finals rivals Northcote Park.

Patrick Fitzgerald starred for Montmorency. Picture: Stephen Harman

Montmorency star Pat Fitzgerald was at his unstoppable best on Saturday, booting 11 goals as the Magpies disposed of Northcote Park.

The Cougars simply had no answer to the inter-league forward who backed up his five goals in the Northern Football League’s Community Championships win over Geelong last week.

The Magpies were on top from the first bounce, kicking five goals in the first quarter and extended their lead to 39 points by half-time.

Northcote Park responded in the third quarter with four goals to two but Montmorency answered the challenge with a dominant six-goal final quarter.

Magpies coach Garry Ramsay praised his inter-league trio of Fitzgerald, Jesse Donaldson and Jai Robinson.

Pat Fitzgerald celebrates a goal for Montmorency. Picture: Nathan McNeill

“Patty played really well,” he said.

“The previous week there was a quarter we had two inside 50s but this week he showed what he can do when we give him the opportunity.

“Jesse played fantastic and Robbo was excellent again, as he is every week.”

Matt Hunt played his best game of the season while Stefan Uzelac and Brent Fotheringhame (three goals) also impressed.

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Consistency has been a major issue for Montmorency this season but Ramsay believed the team was finally showing what it was capable of.

“We’ve gone win-loss-win-loss-win-loss. Hopefully, we’ll break the mould next week,” he said.

“It sets up a blockbuster this week, the winner between us and Bundoora probably goes into fifth spot before the break.

“It will be our first mini final and hopefully we can sustain our form and bring a bit of consistency.”

Montmorency coach Garry Ramsay. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Magpies host the Bulls at Montmorency Park on Saturday.

Elsewhere in Division 1, Cameron Cloke’s return to Hurstbridge wasn’t enough to stop North Heidelberg claiming an 18-point win while Lower Plenty fell to a 23-point loss to Macleod.

In Division 2, Eltham were a class above Watsonia, winning by 96 points and Banyule were 88-point winners over Diamond Creek.

Panton Hill leapfrogged Heidelberg West to second place in Division 3 with an 84-point win.

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