Zane Souleiman stars in North Heidelberg’s win over Montmorency

After a Round 1 mauling from Heidelberg, the Bulldogs are undefeated – beating Bundoora and drawing with Hurstbridge – but the Magpies scalp cements their position.

The hosts led at every change and, fuelled by Zane Souleiman’s career-best five-goal haul, ran out 13.14 (92) to 11.13 (79) victors.

Jesse Tardio was best-on-ground, winning an enthralling head-to-head battle with Montmorency star Marcus Lentini.

However, the win was soured by injuries to key forward Todd Stevenson and Jesse Wallin.

North Heidelberg coach Kasey Duncan said the team was still finding its feet.

“We’ve been playing some really good footy and starting to get some troops back,” Duncan said.

“Coming off a tough game last week and end up with a draw, to hold on for the win is massive for us and our season.

“Round 1, realistically Heidelberg put 100 points on us in a quarter and a half and we had personnel missing that day and there’s more troops coming.

“Our progression has always been to be at our best at the end of the year, not right now.”

A four-goal first-quarter burst sent the Bulldogs on their way, taking a 16-point lead into quarter-time.

After an inaccurate 1.5, Montmorency narrowed the margin to nine points at half-time as the visitors found their range.

However, the Bulldogs’ defence responded in the third term, keeping the Magpies to a goal as the lead grew to 19 points.

It was 26 points when Souleiman kicked his fifth, a beautiful snap from the boundary, mid-way through the last before a late Montmorency fightback saw them draw within 13 points.

However, Mitch Dillon snuffed out any chance with a clutch goal.

Duncan had high praise for Souleiman, who has already surpassed last year’s goal tally in the opening month.

“He whinges about not getting midfield minutes but he’s unstoppable as a medium forward at the moment,” he said.

“You put a small on him, he’s too strong, but you put a tall on him he’s too fast and nimble, his ability to win and find a way out of one-on-one situations is unbelievable.

“He kicked a left foot snap from the pocket, from a set shot in the last, to basically seal the game for us and it brought the house down.

“He probably could have kicked eight or nine and at the moment I think he’s one of the best medium forward in the competition.”

Duncan was also impressed by 23rd man, and senior debutant, Jayce Callegari – who was playing under-16s at Yarrambat last year.

Tardio was named best afield in the win, while Fraser Thurlow, Ben Bath, Brodie White and Hamish Murphy also impressed.

“Jesse Tardio was unbelievable. He’s the worst trainer in Victoria but he’s one of the best midfielders in Victoria,” Duncan said.

“He goes from strength to strength each week and to watch him and Marcus Lentini go head-to-head was a joy, as was Fraser Thurlow and Riley Flynn.

“It was a really high-quality game of football and, I don’t know how Jesse does it, he looks like he’s done and all of a sudden he has 40 touches. He’s a miracle.”

North could lose Stevenson and Wallin after knee and shoulder injuries respectively.

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However, in a significant boost, star midfielder Liam Hunt is expected to return for the club’s clash with Greensborough on Saturday, while Lachie Smith should also be available.

For Montmorency, Patrick Dozzi, Brock and Sam Binion and Will Bella were the best, while Matt Shannon finished with three goals.

The Magpies must now face red-hot Heidelberg at Montmorency Park in the grand final rematch.

Elsewhere in Division 1, the Tigers eased past South Morang by 48 points, their smallest win of the season, Banyule pipped Bundoora by eight points and Hurstbridge smashed an inaccurate West Preston-Lakeside by 62 points.

Originally published as Zane Souleiman stars in North Heidelberg’s win over Montmorency