LBU stung by Demons in third loss for the season

But when they took to the field after half-time, it was White Hills that leapt ahead, booting four goals to one in what turned out to be a decisive third term.

LBU fought hard in the last quarter, outscoring the Demons by two points, but it wasn’t enough as White Hills claimed the 14-point win.

Cats coach Stacy Fiske was happy with the performance from his side for most of the contest although, as the scoreboard suggested, felt like the side needed to improve in the third quarter.

“Obviously we turn up to win and, after last week, we really wanted to respond with the way we play our footy,” he said.

“I think we did that, we just unfortunately lapsed in that third quarter and White Hills were able to get a few goals on us at that point and we just weren't able to bring them back in that last quarter, which we fought out to the end.

“White Hills, with that third quarter, made it a little bit hard, but I think outside of that we played some really good footy and probably showed that when we do that we're a very good team and we can go up against the best and be the best.”

The result puts LBU in a precarious position, placed fifth on the ladder, two games behind fourth-placed White Hills.

However, Fiske isn’t concerned and is setting short-term goals for his side in its bid for September.

“It's the old saying, we have to take it week to week at the moment,” he said.

“We've got to make sure that when we come up against Heathcote next week that we get a win there, and I think that's the most important thing. If we could just keep playing better footy over four quarters, we'll be able to do what we need to do to play finals and make an impact in finals.

“But as a group, we haven't played our best footy over the last month, but yesterday was probably a bit of a turning point for us when it comes to sort of putting it together. It just needs to happen for four quarters."

Anthony McMahon and Thomas Leech were standouts for the Cats, kicking seven goals between them, while Fiske also made note of small forward Baxter Anderson, who was impressive.

“Those two (McMahon and Leech) led at the front,” Fiske said.

“I think that's probably been something we struggled with the last three weeks, our ability to hit the scoreboard, but I know they definitely turned up and presented really well and when the opportunities arose, they did a really good job hitting the scoreboard.

“It will be a nice bit of confidence for our forward line, and young Baxter Anderson was good down there too as a small forward, getting underneath the feet of Maxy Johnson and ‘Leechy’ when he needed to be there.”

The Cats will face a tough test when they take on Heathcote next week away from home, with the Saints (4-1) in good form and sitting third on the ladder.

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LBU was unable to make it consecutive wins on the court, going down 23-81 against a strong White Hills outfit.

After claiming their first win for the season last week over Leitchville-Gunbower, the Cats were brought swiftly back down to Earth against the third-placed Demons.

Next week’s match-up against Heathcote should be a more competitive affair, with the two sides evenly matched with one win each.