The Cats recorded their most significant win since their 2014 premiership when they kicked 13 goals to five after quarter-time to defeat the Hawks 15.12 (102) to 10.13 (73) at Huntly – the only round 11 match not decided by triple figures.

It’s a win that fuels the belief of the Cats, but also a loss in which the Hawks paid a hefty price.

Such is the tightness among the top four in Leitchville-Gunbower, North Bendigo, Colbinabbin and Huntly – who all now have 8-2 records – the Hawks slipped from first to fourth.

The victory further strengthens the Cats’ grip in the top five as they are now three games inside, with Saturday’s result a warning that they shouldn’t be taken lightly come finals, which is where they are headed for the first time in four years.

“The way we were able to beat what was the top side on their home deck, I’d say it’s the best win we’ve had for a long while and we’ll take a lot of belief out of it,” Oliver said.

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“I thought our hardness at the contest was really good, we were able to run and move the ball quickly, spread well and give our forwards plenty of opportunities with the way the ball was going in.”

The Cats were tested early when they trailed by 19 points at quarter-time, but gained the momentum with a 4.5 to 0.1 second term to lead by nine points at the main break and from there didn’t look back.

The victorious Cats’ side featured a pair of first-gamers in Dylan Keath and Stanley Brentnall.

Keath, who kicked two goals, and Brentnall came into the side for late withdrawals Gavin Broad (hamstring) and Jeremy Mundie (hand).

Zeik Johnston and Jordan Brown kicked three goals each for the Cats, whose best were Tyler Phillips in the ruck and Bart Phillips as a loose in defence.

Assistant coach Harry Whittle showed his class inside 50 for the Hawks, kicking seven of their 10 goals, including four in the first term.

“Full credit to Locky… they played a very good brand of footy today,” Huntly coach Denis Grinton said.

“They brought intensity and want to the contest and we were found wanting, which was disappointing.”

The surging North Bendigo slammed on 17 goals to two after half-time as it beat Mount Pleasant for the 20^th time in a row.

The underdog Blues competed strongly in the first half to be within 17 points of the Bulldogs at half-time, but the floodgates opened after the long break as the Bulldogs cruised to a 27.15 (177) to 9.15 (69) win at Toolleen.

“We were fairly flat in the first half and not playing team footy, but credit to Mounts… they brought a heap of pressure, which we knew they would,” North Bendigo coach Matt Dillon said.

“They made it really tough to get free footy, but after a bit of a rev at half-time we had a really good third quarter and played a lot more direct footy.”

The Bulldogs booted 9.3 to 1.4 in the third quarter to kill off the Blues’ challenge.

The 108-point victory was North Bendigo’s seventh in a row and featured Sean Christopher (six), Sean Morris (five), Darcy Richards (four) and Ryan Threlfall (four) combining for 19 goals.

Morris was the best for the Bulldogs, while Lachlan Ford in defence and Billy Robertson on a wing were also among their top performers.

The Bulldogs’ side featured Will Brohm playing his first senior game, but he suffered an ankle injury.

As well as a solid first-half showing, Blues coach Darren Walsh said one of the positives for his side was its 24 scoring shots, compared to the nine they had against the Bulldogs in round two.

“The first half was one of the best halves of footy we’ve played for the year. We played a good brand, but the good sides are able to flick a switch and North did that in the third quarter,” Walsh said.

“I was really disappointed in our third quarter… we looked like a completely different team to the first half, and kicking 9.15 for the game, you need to take your opportunities when they come and we didn’t.”

The best for the Blues featured Mitch Keuken in defence, Nick Butler on a wing and Ben Weightman (three goals).

Colbinabbin notched a triple-figure victory for the second week in a row with a 113-point win over Heathcote.

In front of members of their 2008, 1998 and 1978 premiership teams, the Grasshoppers were 24.14 (158) to 6.9 (45) victors at Colbinabbin.

Ryan Hon and 14-year-old Hugh Hamilton kicked four goals each for the Grasshoppers, who were best served by consistent defender Daniel Hill and Will Morrow.

Heathcote’s tally of six goals was an improvement on its round two match against Colbinabbin when it was held to just two.

“I thought for the first two-and-a-half quarters we played some good periods of footy. Our pressure was good, we were able to move the ball well at times, but we were just outclassed, which is what good sides like Colbinabbin are going to do,” Heathcote coach Luke Bell said.

“But they got a bit of a run-on halfway through the third quarter and we basically just packed it in and went away from what we have been working on like pressing up and trying to keep the ball inside our forward 50.

“Part of that was to do with fatigue; we weren’t as fit as they were and a bit of it was to do with our effort dropping off.”

On-ballers Tom Pain and Darcy McLean (two goals) were the best for the Saints in their 11^th loss in a row to the Grasshoppers.

Leitchville-Gunbower thumped Elmore by 176 points.

Coming off a hiding from North Bendigo the previous week, the Bombers were brutal in their crushing 29.18 (192) to 2.4 (16) victory at Gunbower that moved the reigning premiers back to the top of the ladder.

The Bombers had 13 players kick goals, led by Jake Vandongen’s seven and Tim Lincoln’s five, while midfielder Jack Gleeson kicked three and further enhanced his Cheatley Medal chances with another best-on-ground display.

Ben Makepeace kicked Elmore’s only two goals, which both came in the third quarter. Nicholas Kellow was the Bloods’ best.