Katandra has been unbeatable this year in senior football, but it faced its greatest challenge yet in a top of the table clash against 13-1 record holding Waaia on Saturday.
The winner of the contest was set to claim the minor premiership bragging rights, as well as hold a mental edge entering the finals campaign.
The result, in the words of Katandra coach Jason Whittaker: “a fair dinkum hit out”.
A bumper opening term had plenty of heat on the football, with the Kats and Bombers scoring five times each, although Katandra’s efforts resulted in a slightly better outcome, leading 2.3 (15) to 1.4 (10) at quarter time.
The Kats edged ahead in the second term with its premier defence coming to the fore, holding Waaia to 1.1 as Katandra notched three majors and four behinds, generating a handy 20-point buffer at the half.
However, there was an evident scoring end at Katandra Recreation Reserve, as a fired up and recharged Bombers outfit produced a game-high term of scoring in the third quarter.
Five straight goals were just about matched by four goals and four behinds though, leaving the door open ajar for Waaia at three-quarter-time, but Katandra still was in control with a three-goal lead at the final change of ends.
As the Kats kicked with the breeze, Waaia was again held to just a seven-point term in the last, Katandra running away to a confidence-instilling 31-point win, 12.13 (85) to 8.6 (54), securing the club the minor premiership for 2026.
If there were somehow any doubts left about Katandra’s premiership credibility, they were all gone by the end of four quarters, having put a genuine flag fancy to the sword.
“It was a big day for the club yesterday,” Whittaker said.
“We’d been looking forward to this opportunity to be really challenged.
“It wasn’t really one aspect that won us the game, it was a combination of all of our guys playing their roles rather than relying on one player.
“A win like that continues to build our confidence knowing we can push good sides in big contests that are like a mini-pressure game for us before finals.
“You can’t train that sort of intensity, you can only experience that from a fair dinkum hit out.”
Katandra’s Henry Cook top scored with five goals, as Corey Percy was named best-afield, while Timothy Belford was Waaia’s most dependable.
Whittaker stated his troops will go full strength into the game against Dookie United in the PDL’s final round, as the Kats aim to finish the home and away season as invincible.
In round 16’s other results, bottom-four side Blighty stunned top-four team Barooga in a 10-point win, 10.11 (71) to 9.7 (61), the Redeyes’ upset just their third triumph of 2026.
With the Hawks’ loss, Katamatite has leapt into third after a 23.14 (152) to 2.7 (19) win over Dookie United, while Berrigan - 24.10 (154) to 6.10 (46) over Katunga - Deniliquin - 19.25 (139) to 6.4 (40) over Rennie - and Jerilderie - 20.9 (129) to 5.4 (34) - were the round’s other big winners.
Strathmerton passed by Picola United 13.13 (91) to 9.5 (59) and Tocumwal closed out the football results with a 18.6 (114) to 10.13 (73) win over Tungamah, the Bears loss meaning the top eight is officially set.
In the netball, Katandra clawed a 10-goal win over Waaia, the Rovers defeated Rennie 61-25, Tungamah consolidated top spot with a 47-54 win over Tocumwal, Katunga beat Berrigan 43-33 and Barooga blitzed Blighty by 40 goals.
Dookie United marched past Katamatite by nine goals in a top eight clash, Picola United beat the Bulldogs by 15 goals, and Jerilderie won 51-29 over Mathoura.
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