Macedon overcame a scrappy start against Sunbury Kangaroos to keep its unbeaten streak intact in the Riddell District Football League.
The Cats fought hard early on before kicking away in the second half to win 18.11 (119)-5.12 (42).
Cats coach Jeff Andrews said they really had to work for all their goals.
“It was pretty average and scrappy early, but on a beautiful day with no wind it was good to run away with it in the end,” he said.
“We didn’t think we were playing the sort of footy we wanted to early, but that was a fair bit to do with their pressure. It’s a bit smaller ground than we’re used to and there wasn’t a lot of space. They were hard at the ball and making us earn everything.”
The Cats opened the game up late in the second quarter and managed to get their run and carry going. Once in control they rammed the game home in the third quarter, with the ball spending most of the quarter in their half.
The Kangaroos didn’t score a goal until nearly 24 minutes had gone. The game was over at that point.
“We played to our strengths instead of letting them dictate how we went about it,” Andrews said.
“We had to work for our open space today, sometimes it just happens for you.
“The pleasing thing for us [is] that it was against another top-four side and we’ve kept them to a low score. We might not have kicked as many goals as we would have liked but we are trying to defend first, which is evident with the score.”
Matt Dick was named the Cats’ best, but it was another former AFL-listed player, Daniel Markworth, who lit it up early with four goals.
“Dan’s going overseas for a couple of weeks so I think he was filling his boots before he went,” Andrews said. “Before he came back to us last year he had injuries. I think for the first time in his career he’s playing continuous football.”
While Markworth will be missing for a few weeks, the Cats have skipper James Wright to come back into the side.
Andrews said the players coming up from the two’s were stepping up to the challenge.
It was a big day for the Cats, with Alastair Collins and Hamish Miles playing their 150th games and Tom Hildebrand playing his 100th.
In other results, Riddell accounted for Romsey and made the top six, Rupertswood was too good for Melton Centrals, Diggers Rest smashed Broadford and Woodend-Hesket had to come from behind to defeat Rockbank.
