Finals action may be a few weeks away, but spectators got a taste of things to come on Sunday in round 12 of Goulburn Murray Junior League.
The match of the round came at Mooroopna in the under-16 division one clash with the Cats clinching a thrilling seven-point comeback win over Shepparton Swans.
Down by 13 points at the final break, the Cats mowed down the visitors with a three-goal fourth term to run out 7.7 (49) to 6.6 (42) winners.
Alex Macrae, Reeve Evans, MacKenzie Calleja and William Emanuelli (two goals) were standouts for the hosts.
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Winding up: Mooroopna's Jack Williams sends the ball forward. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 16
Go long: Shepparton Swans' Seth Cormick. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 16
Dashing move: Shepparton Swans' Dashiell Smith hunts down Mooroopna's Bailey Poole. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 16
Get around him: Mooroopna's William Emanuelli and teammate Jack Williams celebrate a goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 16
Looking forward: Shepparton Swans' Lucas O'Hora. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 16
Gotcha: Shepparton Swans' Josh Winkler wraps his arms around Mooroopna's William Emanuelli. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 16
Eyes on the ball: Shepparton Swans' Lucas O'Hora. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 16
Down low: Mooroopna's Thomas Crowhurst. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 16
Smother attempt: Shepparton Swans' Ben Jeffery attempts to smother Mooroopna's William Emanuelli kick on goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 16
Duking it out: Mooroopna's Reeve Evans. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 16
Fair bump, play on: Mooroopna's Reeve Evans battles it out with Shepparton Swans' Jye McDonald. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 16
Going back with the flight: Mooroopna's Alex Macrae backs into a pack. Photo by Megan FisherImage 13 of 16
On the move: Shepparton Swans' Jye McDonald breaks away from Mooroopna's Jack Williams. Photo by Megan FisherImage 14 of 16
Wrapped up: Shepparton Swans' Flynn Grumley. Photo by Megan FisherImage 15 of 16
Lean back: Mooroopna's Reeve Evans. Photo by Megan FisherImage 16 of 16
Loose ball: Shepparton Swans' Lucas O'Hora and Mooroopna's William Emanuelli. Photo by Megan FisherSwans’ Flynn Grumley put in a quality stint, while teammates Dashiell Smith, Joshua Winkler and Seth Cormick gave strong support.
The win leaves Mooroopna on top of the under-16 ladder with two rounds left to play.
News photographer Megan Fisher attended the Sunday clash and captured all the thrills and spills.