Cats step closer to avoiding spoon
Neerim-Neerim South put a step between it and the wooden spoon, comfortably accounting for Lang Lang.
The Cats simply looked the better team as they cruised to victory, 10-6 (66) to 4-3 (27) to put them four points clear of the Tigers.
Lang Lang would score first through a rushed behind, but their inability to impact the scoreboard on a regular basis and total of 1-3 to three-quarter-time saw them fall to a six goal deficit at the final change.
The Tigers showed some fight in the final term but the damage had been done.
Aaron Fawcett made a clearing kick only for the Tigers to win the race for the ball, however the connecting kick couldn’t find the lead and ended up out on the full.
It was an early opportunity that went begging and having conceded the first three forward 50 entries, the Cats clicked into gear and looked the far better side for the majority of the contest.
Ben Barwick took a good mark on the lead for the Tigers but in a common theme for the match, the Neerim defenders were able to clear by sheer weight of numbers.
A Lang Lang kick from defence was put out on the full in a costly error, but fortunately the Cats didn’t take full toll with the left foot shot missing.
Dean Stringer found Dane Fawcett on the lead for the first goal of the match and this sparked the Cats.
The Cats received another gift when the Tigers defence again kicked out on the full and this time the home team made no mistake, with Matthew Kelliher’s long shot carrying the pack and sailing through for a goal.
Lang Lang switched to work the outer side but again the connecting kick let them down, with Joseph Dalgleish unable to chase the ball down.
The Cats sent the ball forward for a goal and were almost set up for a fourth, with Ashley Lockett failing to hold the mark on a long searching lead.’
A high kick into forward 50 to open the second term was easy pickings for the Tigers defence.
The Tigers pushed forward on three occasions but again let themselves down with the connecting kick or by getting outworked by the Cats defenders.
A bold switch paid dividends for the Cats to find Daniel Fusinato in space to run into the forward 50 and convert with a smart kick to extend the lead.
Clint Fulton won a free kick for a hold at centre half forward, but his shot missed for the Tigers.
Clever hands set up Brock Duggan for a much-needed goal for the Tigers ahead of half time, the visitor closing the gap to three goals to generate some belief.
The visitor came out from the half time break early keen to work their way back into the contest, but three quick goals from the Cats quickly put paid to their hopes.
Jack Griffiths was starting to make his presence felt for the home side as he kicked truly after leading up to centre half forward.
A clever soccer goal from the pocket from Dean Stringer provided further inspiration as the Cats kicked six goals clear.
The Tigers broke through for the first goal of the final term but the dark day for the Tigers continued as Fulton was forced out of the match with an achilles injury, while the Cats scored the next two goals to kill the contest.
A snap from front and centre was followed by a Stringer goal on the run and it was beginning to get ugly for the Tigers.
Goals from a snap and a free kick restored some respectability to the scoreboard for the Tigers, but the Cats would have the final say with a goal from the pocket.
Griffiths and Aaron Fawcett both handled as the Cats threatened to open the Tigers up for an 11th goal, only to be beaten by the siren.
Griffiths, Nathan Bayne, Jackson Ward, Aaron Fawcett, Stringer and Fusinato were all prominent in a strong showing from the Cats.
Andrew Thompson, Mark Anderson, Dalgleish, Sam Kendell and Stuart Casey battled against the odds for Lang Lang.