For the past few rounds Mooroopna has been playing with scraps for its side.
That’s no disrespect to the players who have taken to the field for the Cats, as they have battled hard and been competitive.
The victory over a rampaging Shepparton Swans outfit in round 15 was particularly impressive.
But during the cold winter months, Mooroopna has had to delve deep into its squad, sometimes picking 16 and 17-year-olds.
Players have been missing for the usual reasons: injury, suspension and escaping for a breath of European sunshine.
As the home and away season winds down, thanks to the efforts of its depth players, Mooroopna is entrenched in the top four is ready to go barrelling into September.
So, who are the key returning players to this Cats’ side that can help it claim its first premiership in 38 years?
The gun that got Mooroopna’s midfield purring was the blond mullet-wielding bull, Coby McCarthy.
McCarthy returned to the team for the first time in a month and picked up right from where he left off.
Against a Mansfield side desperate to secure a spot in finals, the star midfielder collected 42 disposals (19 contested), 12 ground ball gets, seven clearances and 11 score involvements.
It was a complete display from the star Cat, and it backed up his previous two games, in rounds 13 and 12, when he had 42 and 40 touches, respectively.
McCarthy’s return to Mooroopna’s engine room is important for the Cats, but heading into the Goulburn Valley League finals series, no player is more important to their premiership charge than key forward Daniel Johnston.
The big, bustling key forward has only played 11 games for Mooroopna this season — a mix of VFL commitments at Coburg and a three-game suspension — and yet sits third on the league’s goal-kicking tally.
Johnston has booted 47 majors this season, including six hauls of five or more, and has kicked at least one goal in every game.
The star key forward is the Cats’ central pillar in attack and is a contested marking Adonis.
If Johnston can keep his temperament cool and his hands to himself, the tall forward will be a scary proposition for opposition defenders come September.
Daniel Johnston’s 2024 bag collection
Round 1 v Kyabram 5 goals
Round 2 v Benalla 9 goals
Round 5 v Tatura 5 goals
Round 7 v Seymour 5 goals
Round 12 v Benalla 6 goals
Round 13 v Tatura 6 goals
At the midpoint of the season, Mooroopna coach John Lamont said the Cats had only one of their defenders from their round one side available.
This meant Mooroopna had to be flexible and creative regarding its defensive options, bringing in youth to help cover its losses.
At the weekend, one of its star defenders made their return: flying half-back Isaac Dowling.
The Cats star and interleague representative slotted back into the side like a warm knife through butter, collecting 26 disposals (20 effective), seven intercept possessions and six rebound 50s.
Dowling’s class, speed and poise in the defensive half will be invaluable for the Cats in the final few weeks of the season.
This weekend, Mooroopna will play Rochester in the penultimate round of the season, a match that will likely decide who claims third place on the ladder.
In previous weeks, the Tigers would have been short-priced favourites, but given their recent heavy 74-point loss to Echuca and the return of some star Cats, Mooroopna is primed to claim an important scalp ahead of a sure-to-be thrilling finals series.