Heidelberg moves two games clear on top after dominant win over Montmorency

Heidelberg has cemented its NFL Division 1 premiership favouritism with a smashing win over Montmorency in the top-of-the-table clash.

It was a statement of intent. A premiership intent.

Heidelberg cemented its NFL Division 1 premiership favouritism by smashing rival and second-placed Montmorency by 50 points on Saturday.

The Tigers led by 12 points at half-time but bulldozed the Magpies in the second half, piling on nine goals to three, to leave Montmorency Park with an invaluable four points.

Magpies coach Garry Ramsay conceded his team had been “taught a football lesson”, saying his team had failed to live up to the expectations of the top-of-the-table clash.

Four unanswered goals at the start of the fourth term pushed the margin beyond 60 points before a pair of late Pat Fitzgerald majors saw it finish 15.10 (100) to 7.8 (50).

Liam Wale-Buxton and Sam Gilmore battle in the ruck. Picture: Ben Higgins

After a 30-point win over third-placed Bundoora the week before, Heidelberg coach Danny Nolan couldn’t have been happier.

“We set ourselves for this, to get the reward is pretty good,” he said.

“We won the contest at important times and scoreboard pressure went our way but both games have been tight.

“Maybe it’s the coach talking but they’ve seemed a lot tighter, today was a lot tighter than a 50 point win – they looked like they had some injuries and we ran away with it – so maybe it flatters us.

“The pressure is on us, we’re the hunted now.

“I think we’ve got a pretty level-headed group but they’ll be coming for us and Greensborough and West Preston can come from anywhere too.

In first and second quarters, Heidelberg would kick away early before late goals kept Montmorency within striking distance.

As the crowd was serenaded by the Montmorency ladies day crowd belting out Bon Jovi’s ‘Living on a Prayer’, Nolan prowled the sidelines like he ready to jump into the action.

When Magpie Connor Dalgleish was shown an unwarranted yellow card early in the third quarter, the visitors took full advantage with three quick goals.

Injury only added to Montmorency’s woes with Lin Jong sitting out the final term with ice on his knee after colliding with the behind post.

Heidelberg's Josh Minogue takes a strong mark. Picture: Nathan McNeill

Three goals from Ben Nikolovski saw him named best-on-ground with his run and carry a critical factor in the result.

In the highly anticipated ruck battle, Sam Gilmore was a clear winner over Liam Wale-Buxton, consistently winning hitouts to give his onballers first use.

“I was really proud of Sam, he just battled away with a few kilos difference,” Nolan said of his captain.

“Sammy likes to use his run which is not easy to do on this ground, so I was proud of him, helping the midfield nullify (Buxton) to a degree.

“I think he can us as much as what Buxton gave their mids.

“Benny’s hitting the scoreboard and running well, he’s been consistent – just not in the best all the time but not far out.

“Today I had him right up there and it’s probably not his ground, I think he’d like the bigger wings of Warringal Park, so he was very good.”

Fitzgerald booted four goals but was otherwise well held by Daniel O’Dwyer, while at the other end Josh Minogue booted four majors of his own.

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Tom Schnerring, Kai Kearns and Keenan Posar also impressed for Heidelberg, while skipper Sam Binion, Jordan Steele, Billy Jenkin and Mitch Honeychurch were Montmorency’s best in defeat.

The Division 1 competition has a split round over the next fortnight.

Heidelberg travels to Hurstbridge on Saturday to face the Bridges coming off a rousing win over Bundoora.

Montmorency will have a week off before returning to action against Whittlesea at the Showgrounds on July 23.