By Tara Murray
Macedon continues to up the anti in the Riddell District Football League finals.
Having produced their best performance of the season in the first week of finals against Wallan, the Cats lifted another level on Sunday against Rupertswood.
The Cats stunned the Sharks early kicking the only six goals of the first quarter.
The Sharks responded early in the second quarter, but the Cats were able to regain the composure and their big lead.
With the game all but over, the Cats looked to make sure they looked after their players in the second half, ahead of a preliminary final.
The Cats eventually winning, 16.12 (120)-8.9 (57).
Cats coach Ben Tankard said they have continued to get better as the season goes on.
“We played even better than the week before,” he said.
“We started fast. We had put some things in place and they worked.
“There was a dominance around the stoppages and we had forwards in form.
“They come to play hard the first 10 minutes of the second quarter and got it back to four goals. We got margin back out to seven goals.”
Tankard said they didn’t take any risks in the second half and even finished the game with 16 players on the ground to ensure no injuries.
Tankard said they had managed to get through unscathed.
Matthew Knox ‘s purple patch of good form continued, kicking six goals.
Jason Cooke and Jordan Watkins kicked three goals each and were busy early on.
Tankard said Tom Waters was clearly best on ground, winning the ruck contest against Dean Putt.
Casey Summerfield and Clint Burgess were other standouts.
For the undermanned Sharks, Todd Podolczak was the only multiple goal kicker. Brent Swallow was named their best.
The Cats now face Diggers Rest in a preliminary final for a spot in a grand final.
Tankard said they would have to take their game up another level.
“We have not played them since round four,” he said.
“They are a different side and we will have to change our plans.
“We have to concentrate on ourselves.”
Tankard said Aaron Johnston and Errol McConnell were both changes to play this week.
