North Heidelberg secures Northern Football League double-chance with win over Fitzroy Stars

NORTH Heidelberg coach Steve Saddington is hoping his side is timing its run for a second flag in three seasons.

North Heidelberg coach Steve Saddington. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

NORTH Heidelberg secured the finals double-chance with a memorable come-from-behind victory over the Fitzroy Stars on Saturday.

Trailing by 25 points at halftime, and as many as 30 early in the second half, the Dogs proceeded to rattle off the next five goals to cut the margin to just one point midway through the third term.

Stars’ Josh Hayes steadied the tide with two goals in quick succession, but the Dogs responded again to trim the margin to just two points at the final change.

Two goals to skipper Leigh Gilbert early in the final term saw the Dogs hit the front for the first time since the first quarter.

In an absorbing affair, Stars’ Clinton Benjamin gave the hosts a three-point advantage with just a couple of minutes left on the clock.

However, a goal to Trent Scannell in the final minute saw the Dogs complete a mesmerising 17.12 (114) to 16.15 (111) win.

The victory gave the Dogs its sixth win on the trot — including wins over finals rivals Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek and now Fitzroy Stars.

It’s the first time North Heidelberg has sat at the top of the Division 2 table for the season, with coach Steve Saddington hoping his side was timing its run for a second premiership in three years.

Saddington said the win was a confidence-booster on the eve of another finals campaign.

“We’ve got a confident group that back themselves in,” he said.

“Things seem to be going well, we don’t have a lot of injuries at the moment, the reserves have won their past three or four games so there are some guys there knocking on the door trying to get in.

“Whether we rest a few or not, we’ll just see how we go.”

Gilbert finished with six goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Shane Harvey kicked four.

The Dogs will close out their home-and-away campaign when they host Diamond Creek on Saturday.

The Dogs will likely play Hurstbridge in the qualifying final in a fortnight.