Macedon continues to fly under the radar in the Riddell District Football League.
Last year’s premier sits third, with a 6-2 record and has been quietly racking up the wins.
Cats coach Ben Tankard said despite their record and ladder position, they can’t be compared to some premiership favourites.
“We don’t deserve to be mentioned up there with Wallan and Rupertswood,” he said.
“Diggers Rest and Riddell are really good as well. We’re where we thought we would be and we haven’t gone away from that.
“We still think our best football will be towards the end of the season.
“We’re in the middle of a hard running program which is taking the edge off on game day.”
On Saturday, the Cats accounted for Melton Centrals in a scrappy match at Arnolds Creek Reserve, the Cats winning 9.5 (59)-3.10 (28).
“There was a four to five-goal wind down one end,” Tankard said.
“It was a fluky wind, so even when you had the wind it was hard to score.
“Both sides put a couple of players behind the ball and made it hard to score.
“There was intense pressure from Melton. It was one of those days when it didn’t matter about the margin, it was just about getting the win.”
Chris Kilmartin, Matthew Knox and James Wright kicked two goals apiece for the Cats.
Zachary Smedley and Patrick Doyle were the Cats’ best. Tankard said both were getting plenty of time in the middle, due to injuries to other players.
In a bonus for the Cats, last year’s Bowen medallist Jason Cooke played his first game of the season for the club.
Cooke, who also led the RDFL’s goalkicking last season, had started the season with St Albans, before deciding to return to the Cats.
Tankard said they weren’t going to say no to someone of his ability returning.
“It came as a bit of a surprise,” he said.
“I didn’t find out until early last week and St Albans were happy to let him go, so we acted on it.
“He’s heading overseas soon, so won’t play many games, but he will play enough games to qualify for finals if we make them.
“He adds a bit of class, we’re a blue collar side.”
While the return of Cooke was a bonus, the Cats’ injury list continues to grow.
Chris Kilmartin and Errol McConnell were injured at the weekend.
They join Casey Summerfield, Jack Kernan, Jack Mills and Matt Dick, among others injured.
Tankard said the club hoped to get some
of those players back in the next couple of games.
The Cats this week face Rockbank in a game they expect to win easily.
In other results, Diggers Rest upset Wallan, handing the Magpies their first loss of the season.
The Burras won 13.18 (96)-11.8 (74).
Riddell made easy work of Lancefield, winning 22.20 (152)-1.1 (7), Romsey defeated Rockbank 21.24 (150)-2.2 (14).
Rupertswood returned to the top of the ladder with an easy win over Broadford, 32.20 (212)-1.2 (8). Todd Podolczak kicked nine goals. Sunbury Kangaroos upset Woodend-Hesket 8.7 (55)-5.9 (39).
