North Heidelberg kicks 11 goals in final quarter to stomp all over Fitzroy Stars in NFL Division 2

NORTH  Heidelberg took a while to get going in its Division 2 match against Fitzroy Stars on Saturday, but it was all guns blazing when it did.

Steve Saddington is developing a young squad at North Heidelberg. Pictures:Stuart Milligan

NORTH  Heidelberg took a while to get going in its Division 2 match against Fitzroy Stars on Saturday, but it was all guns blazing when it did.

The Bulldogs trailed by 14 at quarter-time, led by 14 at halftime and by 15 at the final change before an astonishing 11-goal last quarter swept them to a 79-point victory, 23.13 (151) to 10.12 (72).

Led by midfield ball magnet Shane Harvey, as well as versatile utility Dan Bramich and young gun Kyle McDonald, the Dogs’ third win keeps them level with Diamond Creek in the race for second and helped them get a game clear of the Stars.

Harvey booted five goals to take his tally to 20, Josh Jezzi four and McDonald three among North’s 12 separate goalkickers.

North coach Stephen Saddington thought the Dogs were the better side all match and, once the Stars ran out of legs trying to stay in the contest, the floodgates opened.

Shane Harvey bagged five goals this week. Picture: Richard Serong

“This competition is still very even, but most teams have found that momentum is so hard to stop,” he said.

The future also looks bright, with nine players aged 21 and younger in the senior team.

“This is one of the best crop of young guys I’ve seen at a footy club,” he said.

Meanwhile, Heidelberg continues to dominate Division 1, remaining unbeaten after thrashing Eltham 21.14 (140) to 4.8 (32). Michael Brunelli, ruckman Sam Gilmore and Ben Cosgriff starred for the Tigers, who had 13 goalscorers, many of them in the last when they booted 8.3.

Macleod bounced back from its Round 5 loss to Greensborough with a thumping 50-point win over Montmorency, 20.15 (135) to 12.13 (85). An entertaining last quarter saw the ’Roos boot 8.1 to the Magpies’ 6.6, with Matt Clark finishing with five goals while Ned McKeown and Brad Leggett also starred.

Banyule continued Heidelberg West’s winless start in Division 3, strolling to a 19.14 (128) to 7.7 (49) win. Beau Parthenides and Luke Giles starred, as did Dave Stewart and Max Post, who both booted four goals.