FANS who once delighted in the Diamond Valley footy league's reputation as Melbourne's version of the OK Corral have been pining for the good old days since a new administration was swept in before the 2007 season. Under the new board, the name of the competition has been changed to the Northern footy league and the biff has largely been banished.

Those fans who miss the rough and tumble have been heartened in recent weeks by the return of one of the most intimidating and charismatic players to pull on a boot, North Heidelberg's Saul Caddy. After spending the early part of the season at Greenvale in the Essendon District league, and then struggling to overcome a groin injury, Caddy has hit top form in recent weeks with 22 goals in three games.

On Saturday against West Preston-Lakeside, Caddy showed a glimpse of his old carry-on when he sunk to his knees and praised the skies after kicking a goal early in the second half. As a follow-up, he booted a goal on his left foot from the boundary.

But at 29, with a baby at home and another on the way, Caddy has mellowed. He still strikes fear into opposition backmen, and runty teammates walk around as if they're King Kong, but the former wild child now more or less reflects the changes of the competition in which he plays.

In the old competition, Caddy was suspended on striking charges for four games and five games in one season. He looked forward to playing Bundoora so he could rumble with Trevor Robinson. Northcote Park games gave him the chance to run into Joe Amad. He had great respect for both men.

Caddy played footy like a northern suburbs gladiator. He was mainly a centre half-forward, but he also took turns in the midfield. In the 2005 grand final, the early report and send-off of teammate Jason Dean forced Caddy into the ruck.

At 186 centimetres, he appeared to have no hope against Heidelberg giant Michael Gay, but his bullocking performance dragged North Heidelberg to an upset victory. It was touch and go whether he or teenage half-back Jake King was best on ground.

When Caddy was a teenager, he was on the Western Bulldogs' supplementary list and played a handful of brilliant games, but his taste for nightclubs was stronger than his taste for training. Caddy has also played at Yarrawonga and Port Colts as well as Greenvale, but he's always returned to North Heidelberg, a club that's proud of its housing commission toughness, because that's where he feels most at home.

On Saturday, Caddy took advantage of the lace-up delivery from midfielder Shane Harvey, the brother of North Melbourne's Brent, to take several marks on the lead. He also took his customary share of outrageously strong-pack marks, but he left his kicking boots at home. At half-time his tally was 2.8. No wonder he sunk to his knees after managing his third goal.

At the final siren Caddy's haul was a Franklin-esque 7.11. North Heidelberg fans clapped off their favourite son. Fans across the northern suburbs sensed a spark in their season.