Macedon almost pulled off one of the biggest Riddell District Football League grand final upsets in recent history.
The Cats, who finished the regular season in fifth spot, were just half a quarter away from knocking off reigning premiers and favourites, Riddell.
Early it was all the Bombers as they kicked the first first goals of the game.
Macedon worked into the match and at three quarter time were 12 points up.
The underdogs were 17 points up in the last quarter after kicking the two of the first three goals of the final term and looking like a side that could hold off the champs.
But as all good sides do, the Bombers came hard late and were able to run over the top of the Cats.
The Bombers kicked the last five goals of the game to snatch the premiership, 13.13 (91)-12.6 (78).
Cats coach Al Meldrum said his side was huge all day.
“Unfortunately so were they,” he said. “We did really well to get back into the game being 29 points down at quarter time.
“We had to work pretty hard to edge ourselves back into the game. I thought we were magnificent in the way we did that.
“It was almost like the boys were in a bit of shock, 17 points up in the last quarter.
“I’m pretty proud of our boys.”
Meldrum said in the post match he was still struggling to comprehend that they were nearly three goals up in the final quarter.
He said the Bombers are a powerhouse team and are hard to beat.
Meldrum said the Bombers were better in some of the key moments late.
“I said it in the luncheon … I had a feeling it would come down to moments as that was the tale in the semi final as well,” he said.
“We did a lot right. We did have quite a few [key moments] in the second and third quarter and early in the last.
“They unfortunately had a few too many. They had so much on the line having to come from behind and sometimes when you throw caution to the wind it can be really hard to defend as well.
“It’s a pretty rough way to learn. I think we deserve to be here and I think we put on a pretty good show.
“I know Riddell has definitely earned their premiership cup.”
Michael Rutledge kicked three goals for the Cats, while Cooke brothers, Jason and Bradley, kicked two each.
Hamish Govan was the Cats best and Meldrum said had they got up, he would have been a big chance to get the best on ground medal.
Brodie Hoyne and Jacob Gough were other standouts.
The grand final, the Cats first since 2017, was another step in the right direction for the Cats.
“I wasn’t sure at the start of the year if we’d been ahead of our time making a prelim last year,” Meldrum said,
“This season suggests we are on the right track. It always keeps getting harder. We’ll reflect on what we have to do to improve and get better and hopefully put ourselves in this position again.
“They’re difficult to make. I’m glad the guys have had an opportunity to play on grand final day.”
While the Cats’ senior side lost, its under-19.5s won back-to-back flags beating Kyneton in the first game of the day.
