Mooroopna has returned to the Goulburn Valley League winners list with a 12.10 (82) to 1.3 (9) domination of Benalla in the seniors on Saturday.
A hot start had the Cats away and leading early at Benalla Showgrounds, slamming home four unanswered goals in a ripping first quarter for the visitors.
The Saints found a reply in the second term through Josh Marchbank, and could have managed a more substantial fightback, but were inaccurate in the third quarter with three behinds.
John Lamont’s men would tighten their grip on the game in the second half, piling on the misery with six unanswered goals.
Cats’ forward ace Chris Nield booted another five majors, rocketing himself further up the GVL’s goal-kicking leader board.
Lucas Caccaviello and Jai Carn kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors with two apiece.
Mooroopna on-baller Kai Madgwick was a standout for his side, receiving class support from his fellow midfielders in Coby James, Jed Woods and Darcy Russell.
They were assisted by ruckman Liam Betson, who continued his strong start to the season up against Saints’ big man Marchbank.
For the Saints, stalwart Jake Pallpratt was a welcome return and was named best-on for his contributions across half-back.
Midfield operator Chris Welsh was a standout for his side yet again, having been named among Benalla’s best players in all six of his matches this season.
Young gun Jasper De Fazio got the call up from the under-18s and held his own throughout the contest.
An undermanned under-18s outfit fought valiantly against a tough Mooroopna side, staying on top of the game in the early stages but could not convert on inside 50s.
Mooroopna broke the game open after the main change with four goals to Benalla’s one, maintaining a solid buffer for the remainder to seal a 8.13 (61) to 4.7 (31) win.
Sam Begley enjoyed a strong performance in his first under-18s game.
In A-grade netball action, an injury-hit Saints side went down 51-16 to a finely-tuned Mooroopna side.
Gemma Mathieson, Bree O’Donoghue and Jordie Willcock were all gifted their A-grade debuts.
Benalla’s women’s football side were well-represented at the Northern Country Women’s inter-league clash with Central Murray at the weekend, with six Saints pulling on an NCWL jumper.
Emily Sims, Isabella Symes, Beth Lewis, Tracey Jones and Nicole Donald all put in a shift for their side.
Emma Layfield, who co-captained the side, was awarded best-on in a superb day for the Saints’ star.