Heidelberg kicked off their Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 premiership defence in perfect fashion, defeating rivals North Heidelberg by 35 points at Shelley Reserve.

A healthy crowd packed into the ground to watch two sides many consider to be contending for this year’s flag open their 2024 campaigns, and after both teams looked hard to split in the early stages of the match, the Tigers eventually found their groove to break away after quarter time, prevailing 12.13 (85) to 6.14 (50).

The victory is Heidelberg’s 37th triumph in their previous 40 games, sending a message to the rest of the competition that the reigning premiers are still a threat despite losing multiple stars over the off-season.

It was two of the club’s star recruits that led the way on Saturday. Tom Keys kicked six majors in what was a terrific performance, three of those coming in the second quarter. While Adam Galgano impressed also, finishing with two majors alongside the club’s 2023 leading goal kicker Zane Barzen.

On the other side, debutant Adam Giobbi was the Bulldogs’ only multiple goalkicker, kicking two goals, while Nicholas Matthews and Jesse Tardio were both influential despite their side’s defeat.

Vin Dattoli’s men got off to a quick start but couldn’t capitalise on their forward entries initially, leaving the door open for Adam Giobbi and Parker Heatley to kick the first two goals of the game for North Heidelberg.

It took some time for the Tigers to settle and kick their first major of the afternoon, but they eventually broke through when Jordan Smith converted his set shot in the last minute of the quarter to cut the hosts lead to five points at the first change.

The second term belonged to the reigning premiers, who were far more accurate throughout the term and managed to kick the first three goals of the quarter.

Trailing by two majors, Brody Bell brought his side to within a goal when he nailed his set shot, however it would prove to be the closet North Heidelberg would come to regaining the lead for the remainder of the match. Two goals in quick succession from Heidelberg put the visitors back in control.

North Heidelberg weren’t without opportunity to make it a closer contest, but their single goal for the quarter came with five behinds, compared to Heidelberg who scored a more economical five goals and three behinds for the quarter to go from five points down at quarter time, to 17 points ahead at the main break.

Jason Heatley’s men aimed to be more competitive coming out of half time, but the third quarter was more of the same, as Heidelberg went from strength to strength in a four goal to one quarter.

Without a doubt, the biggest highlight of the third term was an outrageous goal from Heidelberg’s Adam Galgano who played on from a set shot and ran into the pocket where he launched a superb kick from a tight angle.

That major put Heidelberg up by 35 points, and although they conceded a late behind, the Tigers carried a comfortable 34-point lead into the last term.

The Bulldogs lifted their intensity in the final quarter, but inaccuracy still put their chances of a comeback out of reach.

At the ten-minute mark of the last quarter, North Heidelberg had scored four behinds to Heidelberg’s solitary goal, all but ending the Bulldogs’ chances of an upset.

Both sides ended up adding two goals to their tally in the last quarter, but Heidelberg were particularly impressive on the counterattack with plenty of their goals starting in the defensive half of the ground, paving the way for a solid 35-point triumph.

By Bruno Visentini