Macedon and Riddell kicked off the Riddell District Football League season with a thriller on Saturday.
Just one point separated the two teams at the final siren and the match could have gone either way in the dying minutes.
Both teams looked good at times, but would also come out of the game with areas to improve.
The Cats snuck home for the win, 12.7 (79)-11.12 (78).
Cats coach Ben Tankard said he was proud of how his side fought out the game.
The ball spent most of the dying minutes in the Bombers forward line.
“We expected a hard-fought contest today and we knew Riddell would give it a go,” he said.
“I’m proud of the boys how they fought it out … a one point game and 30 seconds to go and the ball in their forward 50, it could have gone either way.
“We’re not getting too carried away and we’re sure Riddell wouldn’t be too disappointed either.”
Tankard said the last quarter was really pleasing and they had put into place the structures they had been working on during the off season.
He said the third quarter, when they let the Bombers take the lead and control of the game, was disappointing.
“Riddell completely outworked us in the third quarter and we sat on our heels a little bit.
“We were probably a little bit lucky that Riddell didn’t make the most of the momentum and kick clear.
“Saying that, the first 10 minutes of the last quarter we wiped that margin off pretty quickly and our guys deserve credit for that too.”
Matt Dick was awarded the best on ground medal as part of the Puka Up Cup initiative.
The Cats won the overall trophy, as the two clubs looked to raise mental health awareness, with both clubs having been affected by suicide in the past 12 months.
Tankard said he thought Dick was clearly best on ground, with Clint Burgess, Seb Miletic and Matthew Knox all important in the win.
Knox kicked three goals, including two in the final quarter.
Haydn Ross kicked five goals for the Bombers, with Michael Sahlberg, who kicked three goals, named their best.
Both sides have the weekend off, with round one being played over two weekends.
The Cats will be sweating on the fitness of a couple of players for their round two match against Lancefield, when the Cats will unfurl their premiership flag.
In other results, Rupertswood overcame a slow start to easily account for Sunbury Kangaroos. The Sharks won 15.14 (104)-7.5 (47).
Woodend-Hesket also opened its account with a good win, defeating Lancefield.
The Hawks kicked nine last-quarter goals, to win 20.11 (131)-4.6 (30).
On the second weekend, Romsey will host Diggers Rest, Melton Centrals will play Rockbank and Wallan and Broadford will do battle.
