HDFL | Cats pip Bombers to finals by a whisker

Lockington’s figure sat at 83.2 percent entering the day, with the Bombers just ahead at 85.07.

The two sides had favourable match-ups to close their seasons, which they both won with ease.

Lockington faced bottom-placed Elmore, cruising to an 81-point triumph.

Meanwhile, Leitchville didn’t have it all its way against second-bottom White Hills, requiring a strong fourth quarter to secure a comfortable 53-point victory.

As both teams were expected to beat their two struggling opponents, percentage became the most important metric to track and play for at both Lockington Recreation Reserve and Leitchville Recreation Reserve.

Lockington coach Jayden Howe said the club didn’t send anyone to Leitchville, but still found a way to gather updates throughout the day.

The Bombers made a slow start against the Demons, trailing 34-20 at quarter-time.

Meanwhile, Lockington led Elmore 19-3 at the first change, and suddenly had the better percentage at 84.55 to the Bombers’ 84.37.

Howe said knowing Leitchville had started slowly while his side came out firing changed his messaging to the playing group, though the coach still had other goals he wanted the side to achieve.

“We hadn’t put a side away all year,” he said.

“Priority one wasn't finals, priority one was winning the game and finishing a game for once.”

While Lockington were comfortable, Joel Donehue’s Leitchville side had work to do to ensure they, first and foremost, secured the four points.

Leitchville struck back with a five goals to two second term, taking an 8.5 (53) to 7.5 (47) lead into half-time and giving itself a percentage jolt in the process, with the figure back up to 86.1 at the main break.

Though that still trailed the Cats’ half-time figure of 86.61, their percentage continuing to rise by outscoring Elmore 32-8 in their second quarter, leading 8.3 (51) to 1.5 (11) at half-time.

Lockington had all but secured its victory heading into the second half, while the Bombers weren’t out of the woods, with White Hills staying in the fight during the third quarter.

Though Leitchville had a strong attacking term with six straight majors, it allowed 4.4 at the other end, with its lead only at 14 at three-quarter time.

Its percentage still jumped up again to 87.01, though Lockington still had the upper hand at 87.94 entering its own final quarter.

The Cats won their third term 33-19 and then went for the jugular in the fourth, laying on seven majors to three to run out as 20.10 (130) to 7.7 (49) winners.

Leitchville not only needed to ensure victory, but do so in a comfortable fashion, meaning it required a dominant final term.

The Bombers met the task, outscoring the Demons 45-6 with their own seven-goal finish, culminating in a 21.8 (134) to 12.9 (81) full-time score.

But they fell agonisingly short of holding on to fifth and sneaking into the post-season, despite boosting their percentage all the way up to 90.05.

Lockington keeping its appetite right until the end proved critical as it overtook Leitchville with its final percentage of 90.26, a mere 0.21 splitting the two sides.

As a result, Howe’s side met its pre-season target by returning to the post-season for the first time since 2022.

“Not only did we achieve that goal, but we take another step forward, we had a lot of young kids debut this year and [we grew] that base level of talent,” the Lockington coach said.

Next, the Cats face Heathcote in an elimination final, the two sides having split their regular season meetings.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,” Howe said.

“When we versed them the second time, we still only got beaten by 20 points, so for us it's an achievable outcome to go out there and win this weekend, and we'll put things in place to make sure that's realistic.”

The coach added that Lockington could welcome a few players back from injury for the big clash, while key forward Thomas Leech will return from a five-game suspension.

Meanwhile, Leitchville’s season came to a close, and in more parallels between the two teams, its the Bombers’ first time missing the post-season since 2022.