NFL: Montmorency spearhead Patrick Fitzgerald boots eight goals in 86-point win over Bundoora

COACH Ben Haynes has hailed Montmorency key forward Patrick Fitzgerald’s longevity after the spearhead slotted eight goals to sink reigning premier Bundoora on Saturday.

Bundoora midfielder Nathan Thomas tries without luck to evade a tackle. Picture: James Ross.

COACH Ben Haynes has hailed Montmorency key forward Patrick Fitzgerald’s longevity after the spearhead slotted eight goals to sink reigning premier Bundoora on Saturday.

Fitzgerald has long been one of the premier tall forwards in the Northern Football League and matched the output of the Bulls’ entire side in a 23.9 (147) to 8.13 (61) demolition.

After managing 157 goals in the past three seasons, Fitzgerald has started the Division 1 campaign with 14 majors in three games to sit two behind West Preston-Lakeside’s Ahmed Saad.

“He led well, marked everything and converted really well,” Haynes said.

“He’s been a super player for a long period of time now.

“He probably doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. Each year, regardless of how the team is going, he’s always hitting the scoreboard.

“He’s been a real focal point now for six or seven years. Terrific player and (it was) really good reward for him.”

Former Collingwood and Melbourne midfielder Ben Kennedy was brilliant in the clinches for the Magpies, who kicked 13 goals to three in the second and third quarters to put the game out of reach.

The successful return of captain Jesse Donaldson from a knee injury provided another positive for Montmorency as it prepares for a huge test against Macleod.

Donaldson and Danko Bzenic were the support acts for Fitzgerald, kicking three goals apiece.

“He cut his knee open just before Round 1 and missed a couple of weeks with infection,” Haynes said.

“(Great) for the boys to see him out there and his contribution was strong too.”

Luke Collins and former Sydney Swan Tyrone Leonardis were also prominent for the Magpies.

Nick Grabowski was one of Bundoora’s few standouts in a lopsided contest as the Bulls slipped to eighth on the ladder.

Meanwhile, Hurstbridge is the only winless side after Round 3 after it went down by 63 points against Macleod, while Heidelberg ended Greensborough’s unbeaten start with an 11-point win.

West Preston-Lakeside overcame North Heidelberg by 42 thanks to nine goals from Saad and Northcote Park edged a close encounter with Whittlesea by 12.