Katandra suffered a surprise loss to Berrigan before the Picola District Football League bye and, after stewing on the first defeat during the week off, the Kats had the bit between their teeth on Saturday.
Jason Whittaker’s side scalped a 12.18 (90) to 8.11 (59) win over Picola United, setting things right at home against a worthy adversary.
Whittaker said his side was forced to “scrap a win”, meaning the Kats didn’t have the full rub of the green after shooting out to 30-point quarter-time lead.
“We were probably a little bit deflated after the Berrigan loss and it was interesting to see how we’d respond; whether we’d drop our heads and be deflated or whether we’d come out and have the right attitude,” he said.
“The first quarter, we had a really strong start to the game which set us up okay.
“We had a bit of a lapse in the middle and then we were able to work our way through Picola’s pressure.
“They came at us all day which we knew they would — they’re a pretty good side — so we had to be patient and make sure we kept persevering.”
Katandra certainly took out any leftover Berrigan aggression on United early, booting 5.6 in the opening term to Picola’s lone goal.
However, the visitors made it clear this wasn’t going to be a stroll in the park.
United upped the ante and added three majors while holding the host to a sole point, making it an eight-point ball game at the half.
“You could definitely see they lifted their intensity around the footy, their pressure around the ground was really good,” Whittaker said.
“Both sides had to work hard for their possessions, they made the most of their opportunities.
“We still had enough of the ball, but didn’t convert in general play and that resulted in not converting on the scoreboard.
“Full credit to them, they definitely amped up the pressure in the second quarter and even in the first half of the third quarter, they were really solid. We withheld all that and were able to push away towards the end.”
Katandra kept a steady head and rerouted back on course and, though slightly inaccurate, the Kats would cruise back out to a 24-point buffer with a quarter to play.
The final term followed a similar trend and, when all was said and done, the home side had a song to sing and a guaranteed hold on second.
Whittaker noted, due to injury and unavailability, that seven new players stepped into the Kats’ senior fold and held their ground.
But there was one clear standout and he’s been doing it all season.
“Bailey Bell was clearly best-on-ground; his work rate back and forward on the ball is outstanding,” Whittaker said.
“He was terrific for us yesterday.”
Next up for Katandra is Waaia.
The unbeaten Bombers have been on a war path again in 2025 and, with Saturday doubling as a grand final rematch, Whittaker is keen to use the match as an acid test for where his side is sitting with three games remaining.
“It’s going to be a great challenge; Waaia has been the benchmark in the comp for the last three, four, five years,” he said.
“We know where they’re at and the weekend will show us where we’re at. Whether we’ve got more improvement to do or whether we’re travelling okay.”
Around the grounds, Waaia clinched a 14.7 (91) to 7.11 (53) win over Katamatite, Katunga lost to Deniliquin Rovers by 14 points, while Strathmerton fell to Berrigan by 12 goals.
Tocumwal had the better of Dookie United by 63 points, Jerilderie beat Rennie by 99 and Blighty got off the mark with its first win, knocking over Mathoura 9.5 (59) to 4.12 (36).
On the netball courts, a top six clash between Dookie United and Tocumwal couldn’t be separated after a 53-all draw, while Katunga and Deniliquin Rovers also shared the points following a 32-all tie.
Katamatite rolled Waaia 68-29 to go second, while Katandra made light work of Picola United with a 52-goal victory.
Lastly, Strathmerton trumped Berrigan by 28 goals, Rennie beat Jerilderie 54-30 and the result of Blighty versus Mathoura was not available.
