Fast-starting Macedon continued its unbeaten run with a hard-fought win over Sunbury Kangaroos in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
The Cats were in control for most of the match and held on for a 14.6 (90)-9.16 (70) win after the Kangaroos surged in the final 10 minutes.
Macedon kicked six goals to none in the opening quarter, but it was a more even second term when the Kangaroos missed shots that would have put them back in the game.
The Cats got the margin out to 50 points in the third before the Kangaroos kicked a late goal to go to three-quarter time trailing by 44.
The Kangaroos didn’t drop their heads and began playing their best football of the game in the final term, kicking four goals to halve Macedon’s lead.
They had chances to reduce the margin even further but couldn’t convert in front of goal.
For Cats coach Jeff Andrews it was a difficult last few minutes.
“You don’t know how long there is to go and I was very nervous,” he said.
“We had to put one behind the ball just to make sure.
“Darren Goodwin did a really good job at that and saved a couple of their forays forward that may have given them the extra goal to get a real sniff.
“They had their chances. We kicked straight and they didn’t … that was probably the difference in the game.”
Matthew Knox kicked four goals for the Cats to be the leading goalscorer, while ruckman Tom Waters was adjudged best on ground.
The Cats’ win came without star midfielder Jason Cooke and captain James Wright.
Andrews said Cooke would return next week, but Wright, who was a waterboy on Saturday, would still miss a couple more weeks.
Teghan Henderson left the ground late on Saturday, but Andrews said he should be right for next week.
“He came off in the last quarter and we couldn’t put him back on and it helped them,” he said. “It was just a tight spot and, with a lead, we didn’t want to risk him.”
The Cats face a tough fortnight ahead with matches against Riddell and Diggers Rest.
“We’re sitting 8-0, as are Diggers,” Andrews said. “I think there’s a three-way go at the top of the ladder and I rate Riddell as highly as I rate Diggers.
“It’s good to be in the spot we are in, and it starts now.”
Diggers Rest, Broadford, Rupertswood, Riddell and Romsey were the other weekend winners.
