In a game with serious top-four ramifications, the Cats knocked off Rumba by 25 points to leave the sides level on points with two games to play, Rumbalara just six per cent ahead of the Cats after round 12.
The Cats led Sunday’s clash at every change of ends, but did not have the fixture under control until late in the piece, with a gallant Rumba line-up never throwing in the towel.
It made for a brilliant win that Mooroopna coach Terry Mahoney likened to winning a final.
‘‘It was terrific, it was great from a number of angles,’’ Mahoney said.
‘‘It’s great for the competition because you’ve got three or four teams jousting for that final spot in the top four, it will go down to the last round not knowing who will take that spot.
‘‘It was a mini-final, speaking to the opposition coach all the players felt it was a mini-final which was a great experience.’’
Richmond VFLW-listed talent Tamara Smith led the way for the Cats, Mahoney said, with Kristen Atkinson also shining in a new role at centre half-forward, combining brilliantly with club leading goal-kicker Kiara Cooper.
For Rumba, Lyndall McConnell kicked two goals with Makia McLaughlin and Jessica Bamblett also standing out.
Mooroopna will play Kerang and Tatura in its final two games for the season, both teams ranked below it on the ladder, while Rumbalara will also play the Bulldogs then take on Shepparton, a particularly difficult game.
But while Mahoney was hoping his side could seize its opportunities and break into the post-season, he was just as proud of its efforts in putting itself in the right position.
‘‘I was really proud. It’s my first year coaching women’s football after coaching men’s for more that 20 years and I’ve got everything I expected,’’ he said.
‘‘The players are every bit as passionate and skilled as their male counterparts, you can see the way the game is growing so quickly.
‘‘We’re not confident (of playing finals), but we’ve given ourselves every opportunity to do it. We’ve got a tough home game against Kerang and then Tatura, I don’t think anyone will know who is making the finals until the final siren has gone.’’
●The weekend’s other fixtures brought three one-sided results, with Echuca’s 114-point triumph against Tatura the biggest margin.
Jodie Lake was on fire up forward with seven goals, while Sophie Douglas and Jess Pitts each chipped in with three.
Tayla Stewart, Hayley Galea and Tiarna Steel also stood out, while the Bulldogs’ best were Abigail Clarke, Samantha Sessions and Jessica Laffy.
The win moved Echuca to 10-0 for the season, still on top of the ladder.
Third-ranked Nathalia kept charging toward finals with a 71-point win against Benalla.
The Purples controlled the clash and allowed just a solitary point, with Sharnah Stevens, Tegan Sutton (three goals) and Millie Casey (three goals) all performing brilliantly.
And Shepparton worked its way to a 40-point win against Kerang to remain second on the ladder.
The Bears kept the Blues goalless through three quarters, with Samantha Heron (three goals), Ashlee Thorneycroft (two) and Courtney Waterson (two) kicking all of Shepparton’s goals between them.
Jaimie Figueira, Zoe Courtney and Breanna Davison were also good for the Bears.
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