Macedon has maintained its grip on a top two ladder position with a strong Riddell District Football League win over Woodend-Hesket.
In difficult conditions, the Cats were able to pull away after half-time on Saturday to dispatch the spirited visitors 12.6 (78)-5.6 (36).
Macedon coach Ben Tankard said he knew the Hawks would put up a strong fight, so it was pleasing to come away with four points.
“It was a really physical contest,” he said. “They probably didn’t capitalise on the momentum that they had … they probably played better than us early.
“In the second half we pulled away, but it was just as tough a contest as we were expecting.
“We identified this as a bit of a danger game, given Wooden’s form against the top six sides, so we were rapt with the result.”
In wet and greasy conditions early, the Hawks started the better as they established a lead, but with a slender seven-point lead at quarter-time, they needed to keep pushing.
Macedon rallied in the second term to be in front at half-time, and from there showed its class. The Cats booted seven goals to one in the second half to put the game to bed and grab some handy percentage in the process.
Macedon ruckman Tom Waters received the best-on-ground medal, while Clinton Burgess and Matt Knox also put in solid games.
The win keeps Macedon within a game of Wallan, and with a better percentage, ahead of this week’s top-of-the-table match-up with the ladder leader.
Tankard said the next two weeks would define the team’s season.
“It’s so tight up the top, and we’ve got Wallan and Riddell the next two weeks, so we’ve got to keep winning or we’ll fall behind,” he said.
“Wallan at Wallan is a tough task and they’re the form side of the competition, so we’re optimistic, but we know it’s going to be tough.”
In other games, an eight-goal haul to Josh Burgess helped Sunbury Kangaroos to a huge win over Broadford.
The Kangaroos were merciless as they kept the visitors scoreless in the first quarter and continued to pile on the goals for a 33.16 (214)-3.3 (21) win.
Mitchell Streiff and Jamie Cuffe both bagged five goals in the rout, which gave the Roos a much-needed percentage boost in just their fourth win of the season.
Romsey stay in touch with Wallan through the first half but faded after the long break as it went down 17.13 (115) to 9.7 (61).
Jack Jedwab and Matt Burkett kicked two goals each in the loss, with Romsey holding on to seventh spot.
