Montmorency becomes first team to beat Heidelberg in 2014 with 33-point Northern Football League win

Montmorency climbed into the Northern Football League top five with a convincing win over ladder leaders Heidelberg on Saturday.

NFL: Montmorency versus Bundoora play at Preston Football Ground. Montmerency's 3 Jesse Donaldson kicks a goal Photo : Kris Reichl

MONTMORENCY coach Bryan Cole says there was nothing extraordinary about his side’s blueprint to beat Heidelberg in the Northern Football League on Saturday.

Cole said the Magpies focused on perfecting the basic skills required to win Division 1 football, such as winning the contested-possession count, as they ran out 12.10 (82) to 7.7 (49) victors at Montmorency Park.

Montmorency held the previously-unbeaten Tigers at bay throughout the day, maintaining a two-goal buffer for most of the opening half thanks to Shane Tennant, Ben Fennell and Jesse Donaldson.

The hosts put their foot on the accelerator after the main break, slotting four goals to two to open a 28-point lead at three-quarter-time.

The result was elementary from that point as Montmorency climbed to fifth on the ladder after Macleod’s 19-point loss to Lower Plenty.

“I thought we got away to a good start and then the gap was always two goals and never got much closer,” Cole said.

“We kicked a few late, we were never really in control because a side can kick four quick goals.”

Cole said the victory came at the perfect time for Montmorency.

“It’s a scalp we needed to take because we haven’t been travelling very well,” he said.

“A win’s a win and obviously Heidelberg is going very well (but) it’s hard to keep winning.”

Donaldson and Ryan Willits booted three goals each, while Patrick Fitzgerald slotted four majors for the third-straight week.

Cole said his side’s training load would decrease slightly over the week off, but added the Magpies needed to be primed for their clash with Lower Plenty on June 14.

The Bears will welcome former Hawthorn and Gold Coast defender Campbell Brown for the match, adding spice to a crucial local derby.

“They’ve got Campbell Brown playing, that will be good for footy,” he said.

“We played against Greensborough last year when they had Micky O’Loughlin playing and that was fantastic.”

Montmorency’s win opened the door for Greensborough to snatch top spot from Heidelberg, which it did with a 42-point win against Bundoora.

Whittlesea remains bottom of the ladder after falling short against West Preston-Lakeside, while Eltham thumped Northcote Park by 66 points.