FINLEY surrendered a first-quarter lead before getting the job done in the second half to record a 27-point win over Nathalia at Nathalia on Saturday.
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The Cats set the pace early and kept the Purples goalless as they set up a 26-point buffer by quarter-time.
But that was reduced to one by the main break.
“We got off to a good start but went to sleep in the second quarter,” Finley coach Damian Sexton said.
“To the boys’ credit they were challenged again at half-time, they accepted it and played really good footy.
“We’ve got to get better, because if you want to be a good competitor at the end of the year you’ve got to put four quarters together.
“But we’re winning footy games and the boys are doing everything they’re asked so you can’t ask too much more than that.”
Sexton said the Cats showed greater determination in the second half.
“Blokes decided we wanted to be first at the ball again,” he said.
“They were first to the footy and we were left anticipating what they were doing, and at end of the day you can’t win games doing that — you’ve go to make sure you win control of the footy and create your own destiny.”
There was an even spread of contributors for the Cats, with Sexton saying there were “no superstars” at the club.
Stephen Patten usually plays forward, but did a good job down back along with Marcus Jackson, while Reid Crowe and Harley Middleton were solid onballers and Tom Seccull kicked four important goals.
The Cats are yet to play a game at their home ground this season due to redevelopment work, but despite that they have remained one of the premiership contenders, racking up their seventh win to stand alongside Echuca United and Rumbalara on 28 points at the top of the ladder after nine rounds.
“It was an important game for both sides and we knew we had to win it,” Sexton said.
“But we’re playing week by week, breaking the season into blocks.
“And if we’re able to complete a good run and play good footy up to the break in three games’ time we’ll be pretty happy.”