Macedon’s Riddell District Football League finals hopes are in its own hands.
The Cats have been one of four teams fighting for three finals spots for a number of weeks, making every result important.
On Saturday, they were able to get over the line against Romsey.
The win means the Cats, who have a bye this weekend, only need a win in the final round against Melton Centrals to ensure they play finals.
Cats coach Al Meldrum said that everyone knew what the situation was heading into the game with the Redbacks.
“It was a bit of a grind before we were able to break them late,” he said. “There was a lot at stake and everyone knew what was on the line without saying anything.
“I’m sure both sides were gripped with a bit of anxiety during the week. We had to take the air out of the room and get the players relaxed and enjoy it as much as they could.
“That real fear of anxiety can get in the head.”
Meldrum said they just focused on taking it one contest at a time.
He said Romsey had a real edgy style to their game which made it difficult.
The Cats led at each of the breaks and held an eight point lead heading into the final break.
Macedon found another level and were able to kick away to a 13.11 (89)-9.7 (61) win.
“I said to them at three quarter time that we have to work our way through it,” Meldrum said. “It might take until the last minute.
“Our ball movement was challenged and they had done well all day and that is how it played out.
“We kicked five unanswered goals in the last quarter which was really good.
Michael Rutledge kicked five goals for the Cats and was named among the best with Brodie Hoyne and Thomas Rutledge.
Matt Burkett and Jaxson Kinnear were named the Redbacks best.
The Cats sit in fourth spot, two points clear of Kyneton, Melton South and Romsey.
With both Macedon and Romsey having byes this week, a win in the final round is enough for the Cats.
Meldrum said the bye came at a good time.
“We will enjoy the week off,” he said. “We’ve had a big last month.
“We were given a lesson by Riddell and then bounced back against [Melton] South and had a good win against Kyneton and then played in the slop at Wallan where they handled the conditions better than us.
“We still have a job to do against Centrals in the final round. Hopefully we’ll get back on our ground after not training on it for the last five weeks.”
The seniors win was part of a big day for the club.
Their under-19s beat Romsey which hadn’t lost a game, while their reserves came from five goals down at half time to beat the Redbacks, who had the wood on them.
Then to finish off the day, the Cats women’s side won through to a third straight grand final.
