What had been just a 13-point three quarter-time lead for Bellarine ballooned out to a final margin of 80 points as the home side finished a commanding 21.25 (151) to 10.11 (71) victor in the 19 v 20 AFL Victoria Community Championships clash.

While Bellarine had been the better side for most of the game – despite some inaccurate kicking – Heathcote District hung tough to still be within striking distance at three quarter-time as it trailed 11.17 to 10.10.

However, the dam wall burst for Heathcote District in the last quarter as Bellarine went on a final term-blitz, slamming on 10.8 to 0.1 in what became the most one-sided of the 19 inter-league games played across the state on Saturday.

Bellarine ran riot out of the centre in the final term, with Heathcote District barely able to penetrate its forward 50.

Bellarine’s last quarter onslaught began just 14 seconds in when Kelly Williams goaled to push the advantage out to 19 points.

Shortly after Tim Lincoln kicked a behind for Heathcote District at the one-minute mark, but that would be the side’s last score of the game.

Bellarine had the last 17 scores of the match, with key forward Dylan Weir putting the exclamation mark on the performance with a goal after the siren – the 10^th of the quarter and his fifth of the game.

Earlier, Heathcote District made a positive start to the contest when it kicked two of the opening three goals of the game through Danny Brewster and Jackson McEwan in the first six minutes.

However, when Daniel DeGois put Bellarine in front at the 10-minute mark, it wouldn’t be headed for the rest of the match.

There were warning signs early for Heathcote District as Bellarine created plenty of scoring opportunities, but was unable to make it count on the scoreboard.

Having at one stage had 4.0 on the board, Bellarine’s last six scoring shots of the first term were all behinds.

A late goal to Ryan Hon, who had gone into the game under an injury cloud, brought Heathcote District back within nine points at quarter-time.

Heathcote District kicked the first major of the second term through Lincoln to reduce the deficit to under a goal, but as would happen constantly, Bellarine had the quick answer.

It would happen again soon after when Lincoln snapped his second goal at the 13-minute mark, only for DeGois to reply down the other end for Bellarine.

DeGois’ goal was followed by majors to Williams – gifted by a 50m penalty against Ryan Semmel – and best-on-ground Mitchell McGuire as Bellarine established a 25-point lead at half-time, 8.11 to 5.4.

At that stage it was 19 scoring shots to nine, with Bellarine dominant in the midfield, winning at the coalface and using the ball well through the corridor, ensuring the Heathcote District backline was under constant pressure.

Bellarine’s wayward kicking in the first half left the door ajar for Heathcote District, which was at its most competitive in the third quarter, but also squandered opportunities.

As it did in the first and second quarters, Heathcote District kicked the first goal of the third term through Brewster, which was followed by three-straight behinds, before arguably the side’s best piece of play for the day when Lincoln cleverly found John Harvey charging through the middle.

Harvey marked on the run, played on and drilled a 40m goal to bring Heathcote District within 10 points, before came the customary reply from Bellarine, again through DeGois.

There were positive signs for Heathcote District with cleaner ball movement and improvement at the stoppages, with the side winning the third term 5.6 to 3.6 – Harry Whittle and Brewster both kicking two goals for the quarter.

However, Whittle’s goal on the run at the 28-minute mark that brought Heathcote District back within 13 points would be the side’s last of the match as Bellarine ran riot in the final term with its 10-goal blitz, including five in the last 10 minutes when the sting had well and truly fizzled out of the contest.

Ruckman Brett Strange was awarded the best player medal for Heathcote District.

“Although we got beaten in the midfield, Strangey got first hands to it most of the day and for a big fella covered the ground really well,” outgoing Heathcote District coach Rick Coburn said.

Other players to feature in the best included defenders Ryan Prendergast, who held Mitchell Day goalless, and Jordan Ford, who battled hard on DeGois (four goals).

The pacy Harvey on a wing and classy Lincoln (two goals) were also among the best, with full-forward Brewster finishing as the leading goalkicker with three.

“I was very proud of the boys for three quarters, but it was a bit of a shame we dropped off in the last quarter,” Coburn said.

“You can understand that though with representative footy when the game is gone and the boys start thinking about their club footy.

“But in saying that, I thought the boys played with great spirit.

“We were underdogs going in and showed for three quarters that we were very competitive and had our chances to have our noses in front.”

There were no injuries out of the game for Heathcote District, which now drops from No.19 to No.21 in the AFL Victoria rankings.

Match details:

Bellarine 4.6, 8.11, 11.17, 21.25 (151)

Heathcote District 3.3, 5.4, 10.10, 10.11 (71)

Goals – Bellarine: D. Weir 5, D. DeGois 4, B. Grant 2, C. Martin 2, Z. Henderson 2, K. Williams 2, M. McGuire 1, J. Finch 1, J. Linton 1, B. Williamson 1. Heathcote District: D. Brewster 3, T. Lincoln 2, H. Whittle 2, R. Hon 1, J. Harvey 1, J. McEwen 1.

Best – Bellarine: M. McGuire, K. Williams, J. Hedley, J. Linton, D. Kerr, A. Jarvis. Heathcote District: B. Strange, R. Prendergast, J. Harvey, J. Harney, T. Lincoln, J. Ford.