West Preston-Lakeside holds on for thrilling NFNL Division 1 win over North Heidelberg

If West Preston-Lakeside is to play NFNL Division 1 finals, it might look back at Saturday’s nail-biting win over North Heidelberg was decisive.

Max Dreher in action for West Preston-Lakeside. Picture: Field of View Photography

It’s only Round 6 and the race for the NFNL Division 1 top-five is red-hot.

If West Preston-Lakeside is to play finals, Saturday’s nail-biting four-point win over North Heidelberg at Shelley Park could be decisive.

The 8.7 (55) to 7.9 (51) victory sees the Roosters sitting seventh on percentage, with a 3-3 record, in a four-way tie for fourth place.

They leap-frog the Bulldogs, who fall to eighth, two points behind.

Talismanic co-captain Matt Harman was a standout best-on-ground, kicking a vital goal in the last quarter and winning a number of key battles around the ground.

Adam Valeri in action for West Preston-Lakeside. Picture: George Sal

In a tense, tight battle, West Preston had jumped out to a 16-point lead before a late North Heidelberg rally.

A Ben Giobbi goal got the home side back within 10 points and Brody Bell looked to have set up a grandstand finish only for the siren to ring as his kick sailed through for a goal.

Roosters coach Ian Aitken said it was an important response after consecutive losses.

“A bit like last year at their ground, less than a goal, so after two losses in a row it was pleasing to come away with a win,” Aitken said.

“It was a great response after they got ahead after kicking the first goal, we were able to get a score on the board and keep the pressure on.

“That second goal they kicked was on the siren.

“When I saw it go through I was thinking ‘it’s going back to the centre and we’ve got to hold on’ but the siren rang, which was very nice.”

West Preston made the perfect start, booting four goals straight in the first quarter – Team of the Year forward Dante Colosimo bagging three.

An 11-point quarter-time margin was extended to 15 at half-time as the visitors looked in control.

However, North Heidelberg charged back into the contest after half-time, kicking two goals while holding the Roosters to a single behind in the third term.

West Preston-Lakeside coach Ian Aitken speaks to his players. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Trailing by just a point, the Bulldogs hit the lead when Brock Chircop kicked truly early in the fourth.

However, Harman replied a minute later and Tom McMahon and Marcus Prosperi-Porta restored West’s three-goal buffer.

Aitken said his team’s ability to adapt to the conditions and take their opportunities was the difference.

“It’s a matter of kicking straight to put some scoreboard pressure on, which we haven’t been doing,” he said.

“We did it in the first quarter and it went from there, we had a bit of belief.

“It was pretty slippery, so we had to take ground and crash and bash.

“Other times it dried out and you could use the ball a bit better, so it was just a matter of trying to adapt as quickly as you can.”

Harman was named best afield in the win, along with Marcus Prosperi-Porta, Charlie Aitken, Adam Valeri, Lennox Williams and Colosimo.

“Harmo was tremendous, the opposition ruckman is a very good player,” Aitken said.

“He took it upon himself to carry the side on his shoulders in the last quarter and kicked a goal.

“And Marcus has played for the club for a number of years, he played a bit in the seconds and broke into the seniors late in the year.

“He’s a young guy, good speed, a bit of a livewire and defends well.

“Last year he was a bit raw but there were some good signs, so we gave him some games, and he’s come back in good form through pre-season and played every game so far.”

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Colosimo’s three goals sees him sit second in the league goalkicking race, one behind Banyule’s James Kayrooz.

The win was soured by two ankle injuries, which the club will sweat on before next Saturday’s match against Kayrooz and the Bears.

For North Heidelberg, Mitch Dillon was named best-on, while Jarryd Culph, Ben Giobbi and Luke Holian also stood tall.

Elsewhere in Division 1, Heidelberg remained perfect with a 49-point win over Greensborough, Hurstbridge came away with a 33-point victory at South Morang, Banyule was too good for Eltham in a 35-point win and Montmorency eased past Bundoora by 30.