Tigers bounce back


Published on Sunday, May 21, 2017

Author : Jarryd Barca

Heidelberg showed it is still a genuine force in Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 after dismantling Montmorency by 51 points at Warringal Park in Round 5.

The 15.15 (105) to 8.6 (54) result pushed the Tigers into sixth position on the ladder as it responded to what was a disappointing first month of footy for the reigning premier.

The Tigers kicked the opening three goals of the game and held comfortable margins at the quarter and half time breaks, forcing the Magpies to play catch up footy throughout the match.

But it was the nine-goal second half and, more importantly, a five-goal final term which really blew the uninspired Magpies out of the contest.

Marcus Marigliani and Michael Brunelli led the home side superbly through the middle of the ground with their respective composure and skill on show, capitalising on the ruck dominance of Jake McNamara.

Ben Irving and Callum Lewis provided plenty of bounce through the wings and off half back for the Tigers, while it was Billy Jenkin who was the Magpies’ best in that department.

Stephen McCallum continued with his strong 2017 form, with he and Matthew Hunt the visitors’ best through the middle of the ground and also hitting the scoreboard for three goals.

The Tigers shared the scoring load with 10 individual goal kickers, while Mark Deaves was the Magpies’ biggest presence up forward, finishing with a well-earned three goals.

Heidelberg kicked the opening goal of the game through Marigliani, who converted a set shot from the forward pocket. It was the beginning of a dominant first term from the home side, despite it not always showing on the scoreboard.

The Magpies battled manfully on the inside but were simply no match for the Tigers as they were outworked on the spread in the first term.

They often applied minimal pressure to the Tigers’ prime ball carriers allowed them opportune time to organise and launch their attacks.

It took two more Heidelberg majors through Jordan Treloar and Ryan Stone for the Magpies to finally tighten up around the ground.

Deaves converted the Magpies’ only real chance for the quarter, taking his side into quarter time with a 17-point deficit.

Both sides were doing plenty of attacking in the second quarter and it was again a trademark Marigliani goal which got the term underway just seconds in.

The midfielder burst clear from a stoppage and slotted it home from long range for the Tigers, before a goal-for-goal quarter saw the home side’s lead drop to 16 points at half time.

The Magpies showed plenty of promise after the restart with much better ball use, but failed to run out the game.

Early goals to Deaves, McCallum and Lachlan O’Brien cut the margin back to just 10 points during the third quarter, before the Heidelberg onslaught was too much for the Magpies to handle.

The 24-point three quarter time margin only extended in the last, with the reigning premier dominating the final term.

Goals to Charles Gaylard, Sam Grimley, Isaac Silic and Brunelli ensured the Tigers were emphatic 51-point winners, eventually reaping the benefits of cleaner ball use.

Heidelberg returns to Warringal Park in Round 6 when it hosts winless Greensborough, while Montmorency will look to bounce back when it takes on Northcote Park at Montmorency Park.

Final score: Heidelberg 15.15 (105) def Montmorency 8.6 (54)

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