Montmorency’s fast start overwhelms Heidelberg to dent the Tigers’ finals hopes in the Northern Football League

MONTMORENCY coach Ben Haynes says his side are intent on building momentum for 2016 after morale-boosting win over Heidelberg.

s07dv203 NFL Div 1 (footy): montmorency v heidelberg Pictured is montmorency #61 Patrick Fitzgerald (R) celebrating a goal with his team mates Picture: Paul Loughnan

MONTMORENCY  has endured a season of transition but that didn’t stop it claiming a superb win on Saturday that puts a huge dent in Heidelberg’s finals hopes.

The Magpies blitzed the Tigers 10 goals to one in the first half at Montmorency Park to claim perhaps their most impressive win of the campaign.

The Tigers rallied in the second half but the outcome was scarcely in doubt as the home side prevailed, 13.15 (93) to 10.16 (76).

“We came out swinging and had a terrific start, the boys were really up and about,” said coach Ben Haynes.

Paddy Fitzgerald led the destruction with seven goals in a best-on-ground performance, taking his season total to 43 majors from 14 outings.

He was benefiting from the platform established by a lively half between the arcs for the home side.

“We really dominated through midfield with Luke Collins and Jesse Donaldson and our big ruckman Joel McLellan,” Haynes said.

“I think the smaller deck suited us a bit.

“We had a couple of targets up front, Paddy was certainly marking very well and Rowan Hore did well across centre half-forward.”

Heidelberg was reeling at quarter-time and looking at a 5.6 (36) to 1.4 (10) deficit but the second term brought more of the same.

An onlooker could scarcely have credited which side had a finals place to play for as the ’Pies led by 59 points at the main break.

The pendulum swung to some degree thereafter but Haynes says such inconsistency is to be expected from his young side.

“We were a bit up and down but late in the fourth we were getting more time for some guys when we knew we were home,” he said.

Daniel Archer finished with five goals for the visitors but they had left a comeback much too late.

Haynes says his side, which sits eighth in Division 1, had targeted the game, and the remaining fixtures against Northcote Park and West Preston-Lakeside, as opportunities to gain confidence for 2016.

“We have a fairly young side and we want to build some momentum,” he said. “They’ll come back a little more seasoned next year.”