Macedon continues to find ways to win in the Riddell District Football League, this time knocking off ladder-leaders Wallan.
Having started slowly, the Cats are starting to show everyone why they won last year’s premiership.
On Saturday, they won a thriller against the Magpies in what could be a finals preview.
Cats coach Ben Tankard said they just kept doing what they had to in order to come away with the win.
The Cats ended up winning 7.10 (52)-7.8 (50).
Both sides dominated a quarter each on the scoreboard in the first half with a howling breeze favouring one end, with the Cats leading by 10 points at the main break.
The Magpies gave themselves plenty of scoring shots with the breeze in the third quarter, but could only kick two goals and held a one point lead at the final break.
Despite having the breeze, the Cats found it hard to score in the final quarter.
Tankard said knowing they had the breeze put them under pressure.
“It would have nearly been easier to be two or three goals down at three-quarter time,” he said.
“Wallan had no other option but to go full out attack. The footy was in their 50 when the siren went.
“The result could have gone either way and both teams deserved to win, we were just in front.”
Zach Smedley was named the Cats’ best in the win. Tankard said Smedley continued to step up when he was needed.
“He started the year as our third midfielder behind Errol McConnell and Casey Summerfield.
“With Errol breaking his leg and Casey not playing after quarter-time [on Saturday], he’s a huge part of the reason we won.”
Summerfield could possibly miss a few weeks with a rib injury.
Matthew Knox, Tom Waters and Clinton Burgess were the other standouts.
That result, and Rupertswood’s win against Melton Centrals, means three teams sit even on points on top of the ladder.
The Sharks, who defeated Centrals 8.7 (55)-4.6 (30) sit on top with percentage ahead of the Cats and the Magpies.
Tankard said having gone under the radar for the best part of the first half of the season, they were now considered among the favourites.
“Yesterday ended going under the radar,” he said.
“We had a really good win against Woodend and now knocked off the top side.
“It puts us back in the picture and we’re OK with that. It’s a different sort of pressure.”
The challenges don’t get any easier for the Cats, who faced fourth-placed Riddell this week.
The Bombers have won eight straight games and Tankard said they were definitely wary of them. The Bombers continued their winning streak, defeating Woodend-Hesket.
For the first three quarters, the Bombers dominated and looked on track for another big win. The Hawks found something in the last quarter, kicking eight goals but it was too late, with the Bombers winning 14.11 (95)-12.4 (76).
Diggers Rest is keeping the pressure on the top sides, as they easily accounted for the Sunbury Kangaroos, 11.10 (76)-1.8 (14).
Romsey moved into the top six with a 27.12 (174)-3.5 (23) win against Broadford.
Lancefield won its second match of the season, defeating Rockbank.
