Macleod keeps it NFL Division 1 finals hopes alive with win over North Heidelberg
Star ruckman Pat Flynn was dominant, Brad Leggett’s 150th, James Condello’s return and a season-reviving win had Macleod celebrating on Saturday.
Northern
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Macleod launched back into finals contention with a stirring five-point win over North Heidelberg on Saturday.
In the Northern Football League’s standalone Queen’s Birthday weekend clash at DeWinton Park, the Kangas kept their Division 1 season alive on the back of a Patrick Flynn masterclass in the ruck.
Flynn took full advantage of North’s lack of height winning taps at will to feed his midfield or smashing the ball forward to put his team on the attack.
Macleod held a 23-point lead mid-way through the third quarter and appeared the be cruising to victory before the Bulldogs rallied.
Yellow cards to stars Jesse Tardio and Billy Hogan sparked the visitors and three quick goals reduced the margin to just nine points at the final change.
When Shane Harvey kicked the first goal of the final term the margin was just two points and North had all the momentum.
Macleod’s inaccuracy could have proved costly but a horror Bulldogs turnover at half-back led to Anthony Docherty’s match-winning goal and the hosts hung on 9.13 (67) to 9.8 (62).
Kangas coach Craig Hayes said after a difficult month, including losing captain Justin White to injury before the match, the win was well deserved.
“The last four weeks have been pretty hard with a lot of injuries but we’ve had a few blokes come back,” he said.
“It’s a great result for the club, the last four weeks we’ve worked out backside off and got a good result today.”
The Kangas made eight changes, welcoming back key players Docherty, Reid Brandt, Brad Leggett, James Condello, Haydon Manuel and Patrick Martin.
The match was Leggett’s 150th game and marked Condello’s return after spending the first half of the season at Bundoora.
Leggett was chaired off after the game, receiving huge applause from the crowd, while Condollo was mobbed by his teammates after a goal.
“It’s a great achievement (for Leggett) and getting a win to make sure he has a good night – it’s everyone’s onus to give him a good night,” Hayes said.
“Milestones are significant and we’ve got to do everything we can to get the win and I’m rapt for him, he’s a wonderful man.
“It’s wonderful (to have Condello back), I thought he played wonderfully well today.
“When I read his name out on Thursday night, the roar from the playing group, and then when he kicked his goal, the reaction, was really nice.
Flynn was a standout throughout the match, rarely coming from the ground, as he dominated the ruck battle while also pushing back to help his defence.
Lucas Hobbs impressed in midfield, while Reid Brandt booted three goals.
As North Heidelberg surged in the final term, Hayes was thrilled with his defence.
“It was really pleasing because we’ve got quite a young backline, the fact we were able to hold them out for so long,” he said.
“Our mids started to push in too deep, we’d win it and of course it would come straight back in, so that’s something for us to talk about during the week.
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“We’ve got some really good young guys down there – Liam Wanders, Mitch Rust, Jack Bianchin, Matt McGregor – and Brad (Leggett) is the general.”
North Heidelberg was well served by Charles Le Fanu, Jack Mapleson and Bailey Waasdorp, while Hogan and Harvey booted two goals apiece.
The Bulldogs remain in sixth, ahead of Macleod on percentage, with Greensborough and West Preston-Lakeside just two points ahead in the battle for fourth and fifth.
Both teams will have a week off with the Kangas to face Northcote Park on June 25 and North Heidelberg to host Heidelberg in the derby.
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