An impressive Mooroopna has continued its charge to the finals in emphatic fashion, downing fellow top-six hopeful Rochester at home in round 12 Goulburn Valley League action.
The Cats pounced on the inaccurate Tigers early, with solid pressure and great work at stoppages helping the home side cruise to a 15.8 (98) to 5.12 (42) victory.
Mooroopna shot to a big lead in the first quarter, with Rochester unable to find a goal and the Cats piling on the pressure.
The Tigers entered the first break with a score of 0.6 (6), while Mooroopna had the upper hand on 7.1 (43).
Throughout the second and third quarters things were a bit more even, with Rochester finding its feet and narrowing the gap.
This centre period was a real arm wrestle between the two sides, however in the final term the Cats were simply too strong.
The home side was flying in the last quarter, with the ball gliding out of the contest in to the forward line and it showed on the scoreboard, with the Cats widening their lead to take out the win.
Mooroopna coach John Lamont said he rated his side’s performance highly.
“I felt we needed to make a bit of a statement,” Lamont said.
“After recent losses to both Mansfield and Echuca, we’d just come up a bit short and we just needed to make a bit of a statement of what we are about.”
Lamont highlighted his side’s organisation early, labelling the win “important and very pleasing”.
He said his side looked dangerous up forward, with Chris Nield, Kobie Issell and Lucas Caccaviello all scoring multiple goals.
Chris Nield was named best-on-ground for the Cats for his eight-goal haul, while ruckman Liam Betson also performed well as did Ben Hicks, Ethan Hunt and Nathan Basile.
“That’s why we had a good win, we started well and everyone kept contributing and giving for the team for the whole day,” Lamont said.
“Not everything went our way. We fought back, so we’re really pleased with the win. It’s one that’s important and one we really needed.”
The win sees Mooroopna remain in third place on the ladder and with former AFL player Jackson Trengove set to join the ranks, things continue to look positive for the side.
Lamont said Trengove wouldnot only be beneficial on the field, but also help teach the next generation of talent.
“Principally he’ll come into the team to support Chris Nield, Ryan Kilpatrick and our ruck set-up in the forward line,” Lamont said.
"Even when he was playing with the Western Bulldogs he was helping out his old club Calder Cannons one night a week, so he naturally does enjoy helping youngsters coming through.“
For Rochester, the result leaves it in a precarious position, with the side now sitting in seventh on the ladder, outside of the finals places.
Charles Ward, Hugh Hamilton and Angus Martin all performed well for the visiting Tigers on the weekend, but ultimately their inaccuracy in front of goal left them out of the contest from the first term.