Mernda misses out on Northern Football League Division 2 grand final after being overrun by North Heidelberg

MERNDA was bundled out of Northern Football League Division 2 finals after North Heidelberg produced a stunning turnaround to claim a 55-point preliminary final win on Saturday.

s09dv210 NFL Football Division 1 - Panton Hill (red and black) V Mernda (blue and red) at Shelly st reserve, Heidelberg Heights. Mernda coach Brett Wilson.

MERNDA was bundled out of Northern Football League Division 2 finals after North Heidelberg produced a stunning turnaround to claim a 55-point preliminary final win on Saturday.

The Dogs’ dominant season was on the brink of ending in a straight-sets finals exit with Mernda leading by eight points at three-qarter-time at Whittlesea Showgrounds.

But North Heidelberg roared to life in the last quarter, slamming on ten goals and keeping the Demons scoreless in a dominant finish.

Mernda coach Brett Wilson said one bad quarter cost his side a shot at Fitzroy Stars in this weekend’s grand final.

“We know how to play our game in terms of the contested footy and we smashed them in that area,” Wilson said.

“Unfortunately, for two and a half quarters we did that and after that we ran out of puff.

“The way we were playing, to do that for four quarters, I don’t even think Division 1 sides could do it.

“Credit to the boys, in terms of our list and where we’re at, we’re happy with the outcome.”

The Demons threatened one of the upsets of the season, leading by 19 points at the first two breaks.

The minor premier made its charge in the third quarter but Mernda held firm before it was

overcome by the Dogs’ final-term onslaught.

“In terms of the season, I put high expectations on the list this year and unfortunately injuries got the better of us,” Wilson said.

“I think for where we ended up and where we’ve come from it’s a credit to the boys and the football club.”

North Heidelberg star Shane Harvey booted his 100th goal for the season during the clash.

Wilson said Mernda would take time to assess its campaign before revisiting an appeal against captain Andrew Smith’s deregistration.

Smith was banned for life after he reached the 16-week suspension threshold for players and officials when he was banned for three weeks for striking in the club’s win over Hurstbridge on June 28.

“He bleeds red and blue, he’s done everything he possibly could this year,” Wilson said.

“He’s hurting right now because he feels he could have helped the side (on Saturday).”