OSBORNE has kept its finals hopes flickering after claiming the prized scalp of the previously second-placed Murray Magpies at Urana Road Oval on Saturday.
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The perennial powerhouse entered the clash precariously placed in seventh spot with a 4-5 record.
It desperately needed another four points to keep it within striking distance of the top six.
And they got them, courtesy of a 15.12 (102) to 14.7 (91) win that keeps the Cats on track for September action while casting serious doubts on the Magpies’ flag credentials.
There was plenty of hype coming out of Urana Road Oval after the Magpies reeled off six wins in the opening seven rounds against the league’s lesser lights. That streak had them sitting on top of the league ladder.
But consecutive losses, against Jindera and Osborne, has seen Corey Lambert’s charges slip to fourth and looking more like pretenders than legitimate flag hopes.
The Magpies are expected to slip further over the next fortnight in matches against flag favourite Brock-Burrum and then the defending premier, Henty.
Cats coach Daniel McAlister said it was pleasing to finally claim a significant scalp after falling short against Henty and CDHBU in recent weeks.
“It was satisfying to finally get a big scalp,” McAlister said.
“I thought it was a gutsy win by the boys, considering our season was on the line.
“We just had to leave everything out on the ground.
“We couldn’t afford to lose and ask ourselves ‘what if’ after the game.
“The most pleasing thing was how they responded when challenged in the last quarter — when the game was up for grabs.
“The Magpies had their fair share of injuries but Corey Lambert has been around long enough to know you can’t use injuries as an excuse.”
McAlister coached from the sidelines for the third straight week. His injured knee has robbing the Cats of a reliable avenue to goal.
Ruckman Jamie Parr, Marty Bahr and Pat O’Connell led the Cats’ charge and set up the 11-point win.
Parr was a prolific ball winner, dragging down several strong contested marks and frustrating the Magpies’ defence with three telling goals.
Osborne welcomed back triple best and fairest winner Matt Clarke for his first match since going down in the opening round with a knee injury.
The Cats now face second-placed Jindera with Bulldogs coach Josh Walker and brains trust Luke Styles interested onlookers at the match.
The pair will no doubt have some sleepless nights, plotting the downfall of the Cats after their biggest win of the season.