The Cats and Grasshoppers are locked into the elimination final on August 19 and if that clash is anything like Saturday’s round 17 battle, it will be a cracker.

In a game that was tight all day at Lockington, the Cats kicked the last goal of the match through Lachlan Collins to edge out the Grasshoppers 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77) in the competition’s first game this year decided by less than a kick.

“It was a ripping game of footy from the get-go and one that either side could have won, so we’re rapt to get over the line,” Cats coach Kahl Oliver said.

“We really set ourselves today to prove to not only us, but the league that we can compete come finals and with Dobby’s milestone in the background there was some extra incentive. I thought they boys played four really good quarters.”

The victory came on the day in which Cats’ veteran Mick Dobson became the first LBU player in the club’s history to play 200 senior games in the Heathcote District league.

RELATED – DOBSON TO BECOME FIRST CAT TO 200 GAMES IN HDFNL

The result was further proof of the improvement this year of the Cats, who had lost their previous seven games against the Grasshoppers by an average of 82 points.

The Cats have now drawn level on 10 wins with the Grasshoppers and beaten two of their fellow finalists, having also defeated Huntly by 29 points in round 11.

“I reckon a win like today really gives the playing group that extra belief you want heading into a finals series,” Oliver said.

RELATED – SATURDAY SCOREBOARD

“It was tough going today, but the boys got over the line and they are only going to grow stronger and closer from a win like this against a quality opponent.”

The in-form Tom Leech (two goals) was brilliant at centre half-forward to be best for the Cats.

Zeik Johnston (two goals) through the midfield and half-back flankers Joe Wolfe and Bart Phillips were also strong performers, while Jarod Bacon kicked four goals.

Collins’ match-winning goal for the Cats came soon after Colbinabbin’s Elliot Bowen took a mark on the wing, but had a free-kick paid against him for a push in the back.

“We had opportunities to kick goals at important times during the game, but we didn’t take them and Locky played really well,” said Colbinabbin coach Nick Knight, who missed with a tight quad.

Adding further salt into the wounds of the Grasshoppers is a knee injury to ruckman Hadleigh Sirett and shoulder injury to their leading goalkicker Ryan Hon, whose games both ended in the first half.

With Sirett injured the Grasshoppers were forced to shift Chris Ford from centre half-back into the ruck and he competed well.

Bowen at centre half-forward, Nat Nixon (two goals) and Mitch Bright (three goals) were also among the better players for the Grasshoppers.

Huntly rounded out its home and away season with a 65-point win at home over Mount Pleasant.

A dominant first half set the Hawks on the path to an 18.18 (126) to 9.7 (61) victory.

With a bye to come in the final round, the Hawks will end the home and away season in third position with a 12-4 record.

As they did so often earlier in the season, the Hawks wasted no time in asserting their authority on the contest, racing to a 36-point lead at quarter-time with the wind, 7.7 to 2.1, and by half-time they were 49 points in front.

The Hawks had another two senior debutantes in their team in under-17 player Max Kelly, 15, and Jordan Hamilton, who is playing his first year of football following a soccer background.

Kelly joins Bryn Burke, Nathan Vincent, Bailey Jones and Harry Campbell as under-17 players to have played seniors for the Hawks this year.

“To have five boys out of your under-17s having played senior footy during the year is really positive for the future of the club,” Huntly coach Denis Grinton said.

The classy Harry Whittle was named best for the Hawks, while Jordan Gladman on a wing and Ryan Semmel (two goals) in his 100^th game for the club was also influential.

Semmel was among five multiple goalkickers for the Hawks, along with Rhett Sutton (four), Luke Mann (three), Jayden Cordy (two) and Doug Thomas (two).

While the Hawks had plenty of avenues to goal, Mount Pleasant star forward Ben Weightman shouldered a heavy load for the Blues, kicking seven of their nine goals to be their standout player.

“Ben was super for us today and probably the best player on the ground,” Blues coach Darren Walsh said.

“He was good on the ground, good in the air… at one stage we had 5.5 on the board and he had kicked all five of the goals.”

North Bendigo demolished Heathcote by 178 points in another percentage-booster for the rampaging Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs held the Saints scoreless in the second half in their imposing 28.25 (193) to 2.3 (15) win that capped a third-consecutive undefeated season on their Atkins Street home ground.

The 178-point belting followed a 233-point hiding of Elmore the previous week, with the Bulldogs having had a combined 121 scoring shots to 15 and kicked 67 goals to six in their past two games during which they have increased their percentage from 206.4 to 248.2.

“The good thing with the past couple of weeks when we’ve been playing some of the lower teams is the boys haven’t taken the foot off and have played out the four quarters really well,” Bulldogs coach Matt Dillon said.

For the third time this season the Bulldogs had a score of more than 100 on the board at half-time as they led 16.6 to 2.3.

Heathcote remained on 2.3 at the final siren, while the Bulldogs after capitalising on their opportunities in the first half weren’t as polished in front of goal in the second as they added a further 12.19.

The Bulldogs had 11 players boot goals, with Ben Knight (five), Tyson Findlay (four) and Aarryn Craig (four) among nine who slotted multiples.

Darcy Richards was a strong marking presence all game, but unable to finish off his work as he ended the game with 2.8.

Ryan Alford off half-back, Knight, Richards and Callum Tardrew in his return to the side were the best for the Bulldogs, who are now 13-2, with their average winning margin for the season 102 points.

Heathcote’s two goals were kicked by Jack Paisley and Alex McIvor, while Angelo Romagnano was named best on a tough day for the Saints. 

Leitchville-Gunbower got the job done against White Hills, but not by a blowout margin like their earlier encounter this year.

The Demons shaved 70 points off their 99-point losing margin to the Bombers in round eight as they were beaten by 29 – 11.18 (84) to 7.13 (55) – at White Hills.

A positive for the young Demons is that having trailed by 31 points at half-time, 5.11 to 1.5, they narrowly won the second half against one of the power teams of the competition.

Tim Lincoln (two goals), Matt Ladson and Hoby Bussey were all outstanding for the Bombers, while full-forward Matt Perri kicked four goals.

RELATED – WHITE HILLS V LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER | PHOTOS

“They were tough conditions and to their credit White Hills applied plenty of pressure,” Bombers coach Michael Pilcher said.

While his side didn’t get the four points, coach Brent Millar, who is standing down at the end of the season due to work and family commitments, was proud of the Demons’ efforts.

“We had done a lot of preparation around stoppages in particular and our midfield delivered on what we set out to do,” Millar said.

“The boys had a real crack all day and were within 16 points halfway through the last quarter before Leitchy kicked the last couple of goals.”

The midfield trio of Ryley Dickens, Jake Allport and Matthew Roberts were the best players for the Demons.

While you're with us, did you know you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox. Sign up here.