Heidelberg’s onball brigade proves too hot for premiership rival Bundoora

Driven by captain Sam Gilmore, Heidelberg delivered a midfield masterclass on Saturday in a dominant win over premiership rival Bundoora.

Dylan Clarke chases the ball. Picture: Hamish Blair

Midfield dominance delivered Heidelberg a commanding 30-point victory over premiership rival Bundoora on Saturday.

The Tigers onball brigade were at cut above at Warringal Park, winning stoppages at will or pressuring the Bulls into turnovers.

Led by captain Sam Gilmore in the ruck, consistently giving his teammates first use, the likes of Lachie Wilson, Matt Smith, Luke Bunker and Tom Schnerring ran rampant.

Up forward, Josh Minogue continued his impressive campaign with five goals to sit second on the NFL Division 1 goalkicking chart.

If not for inaccuracy in the second half, Heidelberg’s win could have been far greater than 12.10 (83) to 8.5 (53).

Heidelberg’s Lachlan Wilson. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Heidelberg’s Sam Gilmore.

Tigers coach Danny Nolan said his players rose to the challenge of facing a September challenger.

“They’re a good bunch, they like a challenge, which is all you can ask as a coach,” he said.

“I think we played pretty well, our pressure was up, and I think there’s still room for improvement.”

He particularly liked what he saw from his midfield group.

“Sammy’s been good all year – and he’s going to have another challenge next week – and our relief ruckmen are doing well, crashing and bashing,” he said.

“Our mids, our tackling pressure is were it starts, stopping supply, which they did well today.

“(Bundoora) have so many dangerous players through their midfield and forward line so we knew if we could stop that supply we’d be on our way.

“We flick them through there, we like to rotate and stay unpredictable, but everyone that was in there was doing exactly what the person before them was doing.

“It was really pleasing to see they could pick up from the last left off and pressure each other to lift another step.”

After a tight opening quarter, Heidelberg kicked up a gear in the second quarter, booting four goals to two to take a 19-point led into half-time.

Heidelberg’s Mackenzie Hogg on the run. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Tigers extended the margin to 36 points at three-quarter-time but didn’t take full advantage of their dominance on the scoreboard – kicking 5.8 in the second half.

Sam Wright, Isaac Wallace and Keenan Posar and Brodie Tardio also impressed, Wright kicking arguably the goal of the day – a snap from 40m that sailed through.

Returning from a hamstring injury, Coburg VFL-listed defender Ryan Sturgess was Bundoora’s best, taking a number of intercept marks and provided rebound off half-back.

Jack Hobbs, John Jorgensen and debutant Liam Mallia were also among the best in defeat.

The result sets up a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash between Heidelberg and Montmorency at Montmorency Park on Saturday.

The Magpies enjoyed an equally impressive 50-point win over Greensborough at War Memorial Reserve to warm up for a potential grand final preview.

Nolan said his players were looking forward to it.

“Mont away is a good challenge, we’ll see where we’re at and who’s the best side in the comp,” he said.

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“That will be good and something we can look forward to and really take on, especially away, it’s never easy there.”

“They’ve got a very different ground to ours so it will be interesting to see if we can be flexible with that.”

The Tigers will be without star recruit Brayden Sier for another month has he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Bundoora will look to bounce back against last-placed Hurstbridge at Yulong Reserve.