North Heidelberg upsets Macleod with a 19-point win in the Northern Football Netball League

NORTH Heidelberg delivered a statement of intent to its Division 1 rivals after toppling last year’s grand finalist Macleod on Saturday in Jimmy House’s first game as coach.

Shane Harvey kicked three goals for North Heidelberg. Picture: Andy Brownbill

NORTH Heidelberg delivered a statement of intent to its Division 1 rivals after toppling last year’s grand finalist Macleod on Saturday in Jimmy House’s first game as coach.

In their first Northern Football Netball League top-tier game since being relegated in 2015, the Bulldogs celebrated the unfurling of last year’s Division 2 premiership flag with a 19-point win over the Roos.

After trailing by five points at the final change, North Heidelberg finished with a 13.10 (88) to 10.9 (69) victory to notch its first Division 1 win since Round 17 in 2015.

“It feels a bit surreal, obviously my first win as a senior coach but obviously the club being back in Division 1, it’s a really good way to start our year off and our climb into back where we belong,” House said.

“It’s a sense of a little bit of relief, like anything I think the footy club has had its doubters, there’s been some doubts over some of my players in my playing group, there’s been doubts over me as a senior coach.

“Where we’re at as a group and our camaraderie between players and coaches, we are all in (it) together and it is exciting.”

Harvey brothers Brent (four) and Shane (three) combined for seven goals, while recruit Jhye Baddeley-Kelly was among the Bulldogs’ best players for his shut down role on Macleod’s Ned McKeown.

There were jubilant scenes in the Shelley Reserve rooms after the game but House was keeping the win in perspective as the Bulldogs look to cement their place in the top flight in 2018.

“It’s a fantastic win and installs some belief into our group but there is still a lot of hard work to go,” House said.

“Eltham last year rolled Macleod and went down so we are realistic of what the win is.

“Take Brent and Shane out of the equation and we have a pretty young group, it’s about just getting them (younger players) up to consistent senior football at Division 1 level and making sure we are competitive every week.”