NFL 2018: North Heidelberg logs its eighth consecutive win after a seven-point triumph over Greensborough

NORTH Heidelberg is riding a wave of momentum to the Northern Football League finals, dreaming it could be the first club to win a premiership a year after promotion.

Jesse Tardio takes a mark. Picture: Andy Brownbill

NORTH Heidelberg is riding a wave of momentum to the Northern Football League finals, dreaming it could be the first club to win a premiership a year after promotion.

The Bulldogs logged their eighth consecutive victory on Saturday after a seven-point win over Greensborough, moving a game clear into second on the Division 1 season with two rounds remaining.

THE HANGER: LOCAL FOOTY HEADLINES

BEARS GENUINE FLAG CONTENDERS IN DIVISION 2

Last year’s Division 2 premiers are the form team of the league and are every chance of challenging for the top-tier flag.

The Bulldogs had just three wins from the first eight rounds but now have an 11-5 record with away games against Northcote Park (seventh) and Bundoora (fifth) to come.

Brent Harvey collects another possession. Picture: Nathan William Media

After a to-and-fro contest, it was left to Leigh Gilbert to kick the matchwinner for North Heidelberg in the dying minutes at Shelley Park, giving the Bulldogs a 11.15 (81) to 11.8 (74) victory.

North Heidelberg coach Jimmy House said his side again stood tall in a finals-type game.

“Surreal is a term that gets thrown around quite a bit, surreal makes it a bit of a fairytale but it’s hard work that has got us here,” House said.

“It’s surreal in an aspect but the goalposts have shifted, the aim was to stay up, then it was to be more competitive within more games and more four-quarter consistent effort and now the landscape has changed to say, ‘finals beckon’.

“We’re excited a finals opportunity presents itself and we dare to dream, that’s probably the message out of Saturday.”

Superstar brothers Brent (two) and Shane (six) Harvey combined for eight goals, while ruckman Michael Florance dictated terms in the middle.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 25-point lead in the first term but trailed by 14 points during the third quarter.

Tristan Stead put the Boro up by three points at the 22-minute mark of the last quarter before Gilbert goaled on the run just moments later.

North Heidelberg said his group had matured since close defeats against Greensborough and Bundoora earlier in the year.

“We got glimpses that our best was capable of beating the best at the start of the year and we probably just couldn’t execute in a couple of areas,” House said.

“I think our maturity just as the year has kicked on, we’ve either been able to kick on or stay with sides, it hasn’t allowed us to fall away.

“It’s a fantastic place to be at the moment, there’s a real buzz around the club — it’s been a while since the loyal folk at Shelley Park has seen anything like this.”