Cats hunt down Hawks

The Hawks swooped in during the second quarter and mounted a small fightback, kicking a trio of maximums and behinds to bring their half-time total to 29.

However, the Cats had their claws out, contributing four more goals and a single assist to bring their score to 41, leading by 12 at the half.

LBU continued its strong form into the third term, shooting the lights out with five goals while Huntly toiled at the other end, scrounging a pair of goals and one behind to end the period.

The final frame saw the Hawks soar, adding three goals and a lone behind, while the Cats couldn’t remain as accurate as the previous three quarters, bagging a goal and five behinds.

Despite Huntly’s last-minute surge, LBU emerged victorious, winning by 21 points. The final score was the Cats’ 12.10 (82) to the Hawks’ 9.7 (61).

LBU coach Stacey Fiske was pleased with the team’s performance and effort, especially considering its recent close games against Leitchville-Gunbower and Elmore not going its way.

“It was good to get a win. We have had a tough few outcomes over the season, so it was a nice reward for effort for the playing group,” he said.

“The last four weeks have been positive for us regarding how we have been playing and trying to get back to our brand of footy.

“Huntly are similar on the ladder to us, and they got us last time, so it was nice to put together four quarters and get the win.”

Fiske highlighted aspects of the game the Cats have been focusing on, mentioning their intensity and defence as critical factors in winning.

“Our big focus has been around our contest, making sure we are really hungry around the ball. We’ve been really good at fighting initially, but once the ball gets into the second contest, we lose that hunger,” he said.

“Our other focus is working on our team’s defence and making sure we are putting pressure on the ball carrier and their outlet kicking. Huntly likes to use that short kick and base their attack around it.

“We pride ourselves on our defensive intensity, and I think through the first half, we kept them to a pretty low total, and it allowed us to win the game in the end.”

Fiske emphasised the efforts of multiple players, particularly Cats’ captain Joseph Wolfe and young gun Elijah Bruns, as key to their victory.

“Our skipper Joseph Wolfe had his best game of the year and led from the front. His work rate was huge, and sometimes when you keep turning up the contest, it’s amazing how many times you get the ball in your hands,” he said.

“It was good for him because last year he probably didn’t get a good clean run due to injury, so it’s great he’s managed to get a few games under his belt.

“Our other midfielders were fantastic too; Elijah Bruns, the 19-year-old who’s fresh at the club, has really grown over the season and given us a point of difference in the middle.”

LBU will face seventh-placed Mount Pleasant in round 14. Can it continue from a strong performance and force and upset?