North Heidelberg smashes Hurstbridge in NFNL Division 1 elimination final

Five-goal bursts in the second and fourth quarters propelled North Heidelberg to a commanding win over Hurstbridge in the NFNL Division 1 elimination final.

Brodie White tries to take on the tackle. Picture: Josh Chadwick

North Heidelberg kept its NFNL Division 1 season alive with a dominant 57-point win over Hurstbridge in Sunday’s elimination final.

Five-goal bursts in the second and fourth quarters ensured a 17.15 (117) to 8.12 (60) victory at Preston City Oval.

Michael Florance put on a clinic in the ruck, while Majak Daw and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly excelled in attack with four goals apiece.

The win is the club’s first finals win since the 2019 qualifying final and sets up a minor semi-final clash against Montmorency after the Magpies’ four-point loss to Bundoora.

North Heidelberg coach Jason Heatley was equally pleased with his side’s attack and defence.

Ty Franks on the run for Hurstbridge as Majak Daw gives chase. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Mitchell Moschetti of Hurstbridge can’t escape North Heidelberg’s Jesse Tardio. Picture: Josh Chadwick)

“It was a solid effort, our ability to start well and negate them with the breeze (in the first quarter) gave us the ascendancy,” Heatley said.

“I think we kicked three goals late in the (second) quarter and that broke it open a little bit.

“We’ve got options (in attack) that can pop up and impact and we like to think when we get it in there we can score heavily, which is a test for sides.

“We do a lot of work around the footy, for us it’s when things get unscripted and there’s a bit of chaos but I thought we defended that really well.

“We got a handle on (Mitch) Moschitti, he’s been a fantastic player all year, and Kyle McDonald did a great job on him.

“We curtailed their ability to be clean to (Bailey) Jordan and (Joel) Naylor, they’re always going to get hold of a couple but we were able to limit that.”

The Bulldogs took a 10-point lead into quarter-time before taking control of the match in the second term with five goals to nil to take a 45-point lead into half-time.

Hurstbridge started to mount a comeback in the third quarter, kicking the first two goals of the term but goals to Daw and Brock Chircop doused any momentum.

North Heidelberg’s Liam Hunt breaks the tackle. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Brodie White flies high for North Heidelberg. Picture: Josh Chadwick

The Bridges again kicked the first goal of the fourth quarter through Naylor but Daw’s fourth just a minute later again put a quick stop to any hope to a comeback.

Florance impressed in the ruck, allowing the likes of Liam Hunt and Jesse Tardio to win a succession of clearances.

Josh Hamilton’s run from defence was eye-catching, while Nick Matthews kept Naylor quiet.

“Flo has been good, his last month has been really solid,” Heatley said.

“He’s a big man, he’ll becoming up against a big fella next week, and he’s ready for the challenge – he’s in the best nick he’s been in all year.”

For Hurstbridge, Mitch Hymus was named best afield, while Will Cookson, Jake and Mitch Wild and Harry O’Brien were valiant.

It’s a disappointing end to a quality season for the Bridges as the qualified for Division 1 finals for the first time in club history.

North Heidelberg will now face Montmorency on Sunday in a do-or-die semi-final.

The Magpies claimed a 25-point win at Montmorency Park just a fortnight ago in the last game of the home-and-away season.

However, Heatley is confident his team can turn the tables.

“We’re ready to go and they’re in the same spot as us, there’s a bit on the line,” he said.

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“There were some good passages in there (last time) but in fairness to them they should have won by another goal or two.

“There’s a bit we can take out of it, we stuck with a couple of the kids today, so that’s some of the growth we’re seeing.

“There’s a bit to take out of every game, we’ll review this one, there’s always things we can do better.”

North Heidelberg enjoyed double success on the day with the club’s reserves smashing Greensborough by 31 points to set up a semi-final date with Banyule.