The Cats reeled in an 11-point quarter-time deficit before slamming home six goals to two in the third quarter to set up a gutsy 19-point victory.

Coach Andrew Richardson said his team had to draw a line in the sand when the game hung in the balance early.

“It was always going to be a tough game for us, and a must-win going in,” Richardson said.

“It looked like we could have been in trouble when they hit the scoreboard early in the second quarter.

“But our guys had the mental fortitude to hang in and turn things around once we got going.

“We made some adjustments as we went along that really opened the game up for us as well.”

Shifting Scott Jewell from centre half-back to centre half-forward proved to be an inspired move, one which allowed the likes of Josh Hargreaves and Richard Findlay plenty of space to work with.

Hargreaves and Findlay kicked three goals apiece, while Ned Morrison and Harley Middleton bagged two each.

The Cats were forced to play with just one on the bench after half-time, with Middleton and Tim McKenzie forced out of the game late in the first half.

While the injury to Middleton in particular could affect the team in weeks to come, Richardson praised the Cats for hanging tough during a tense final quarter.

“The team has really unified since the start of the season, and it’ll hold us in good stead for the remainder of the year,” Richardson said.

“Our recruits have really settled in since they’ve arrived, and I think we’re well positioned to make a good fist of it in the coming weeks.”