Gallery | Katandra and Katamatite battle out gruelling Picola District league clash

The two sides are popular choices from pundits to go deep into finals and challenge the likes of Waaia for the PDFL crown.

Usually a fast and free-flowing team, Katandra was unable to break away from Katamatite’s claws early.

The match was fiercely fought as both the Kats and the Tigers slogged it out through the first term; the hosts taking the lead 19-11 at quarter time.

Katandra coach Jason Whittaker said his players had to adapt mid-game and change the way they played.

“We had been looking forward to this challenge for a while knowing the quality 'Katty' have got,” Whittaker said.

“We have worked really hard to develop a really specific style of play that suits our guys on the ground.

“As the game went on, we discussed at quarter-time, half-time and three-quarter time, we actually had to adapt to the way we were playing.

“The style of game we had been playing in the first three rounds and even for the majority of last year is we would gain lots of metres going forward and try to open up sides with big meterage plays.

“Yesterday, it was a game of inches where it was contest to contest all the way around the ground and we had to change the way we played.

“It was contested from minute one to minute 120, so it was a different game.”

The Kats took a 37-20 lead into the main break; the hosts just being that extra bit cleaner.

In the second half, the game began to open up and with that, the scoring increased.

Katandra booted 3.5 to Katamatite’s 2.1 as the Kats' lead continued to grow.

The Tigers bit back at the start of the final term to threaten a comeback, but Whittaker’s men had done enough and rolled over their premiership rivals.

Katandra won 10.16 (76) to 7.14 (56) to remain undefeated for season 2025.

Whittaker applauded his defenders for keeping a dangerous Katamatite side — even without star Tom Clurey who missed with injury — to just seven goals.

But the star of the day was off-season recruit Bailey Bell, who was the difference in the engine room.

Whittaker said Bell had been a resounding success so far for the Kats, on and off the field.

“(Bell) brings a lot of experience, he is a quality player and it translates to a quality guy,” he said.

“He is a really supportive member and co-coach, he brings a wealth of experience and a calmness to the group as well.

“He has won five bloody senior premierships or whatever it is when he was out at Nathalia so he has experience in big games and his knowledge and understanding of the game is really good and he is really supportive and approachable.”

Katandra’s Josh Kezerle, Tom Jeffery and Ryan Calogero both kicked a game-high two goals, while Katamatite's Will Gorman and Dylan Callard also contributed two majors.

In other round five matches, Waaia handed Mathoura a 181-point thumping, Katunga outlasted Tungamah to win by seven points and Dookie United defeated Rennie by 89 points.

Strathmerton fell to Tocumwal 58-78, Picola United beat Blighty by 76 and Berrigan was handed its first loss of the season by Jerilderie who won by 14 away from home.

In the A-grade netball, Katamatite defeated Katandra by nine on the road, Katunga won its clash against Tungamah by seven, Dookie United handed Rennie a 28-goal loss and Tocumwal beat Strathmerton by 14.

Meanwhile, Mathoura lost 19-35 to Waaia, Jerildere beat Berrigan by five and Picola United walloped Blighty 64-21.