The Purples did not allow a goal in a 74-point win against the Cats, booting 11.11 of their own to move three games clear of fifth position.
It means they are almost certain to finish in the top four, with three rounds left before the post-season.
The Purples found two first-quarter goals to take control of the game and ground their way to a 27-point advantage by the half.
But the Cats could not get anything to click and Nathalia ran away with it, booting seven goals for the second half to take the big win.
It moved the Purples to 7-4 for the season, two games clear of Rumbalara (fourth, 5-5) with Kerang (fifth, 3-7), Benalla (sixth, 3-7) and Mooroopna (seventh, 4-7) all a further game back.
Marni Bell was best-on-ground for the Purples and also found two goals, with Vanessa Ward and Abby Favaro also splitting the big sticks twice.
Sharnah Stevens, Tegan Sutton and Cara Briggs were also great, while Kayla Shepherd, Kristen Atkinson and Kiara Cooper were strong for Mooroopna.
Elsewhere, a dominant showing from Shepparton encouraged the side it might be closing the gap to league-leading Echuca, putting away Tatura by 82 points.
The Bulldogs fought with plenty of passion early and were only down by 10 points at the first break, but the Bears took over with a ripping second quarter, slotting 3.3 while keeping their opponent scoreless to grab a 31-point lead.
And things only got better for the reigning premier in a bonanza third term, banging home seven goals to blow the margin right out.
Tearnie Brown continued excellent form and kicked six goals to complete a wonderful outing, Samantha Heron also kicking three.
Breanna Davison, Zoe Courtney and Jaimie Figueira also shone for the Bears, while Abigail Clarke, Madison Kromek and Sarah Lange-Richards battled hard for the Bulldogs.
Echuca remained in fine form, taking care of Rumbalara by 58 points.
It moved the Murray Bombers to 9-0 for the season, the side counting down the weeks before it can launch an assault on its first premiership.
And Benalla could not stay with Kerang, falling by 58 points in a blow to its chances of playing finals.
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