Cats come close on grand final day
BY ALEX TIGANI
The Muswellbrook Cats came close to ending their premiership drought on Saturday.
The third-placed line-up held an early lead against minor premier Warners Bay in this year’s season decider before the Bulldogs stormed home in the premiership quarter to secure a 14-point grand final win at Bateau Bay Oval.
The Cats celebrated wins against Newcastle City and Gosford to reach the grand final and grant midfielder Matt Dunn a successful 13-7 winning record in his first season as playing coach.
“We just played our style of footy, took control early and set the pace,” Dunn told The Hunter River Times
“Really used our running game and kept the flow of the game happening.”
After 202 games, it is believed the Cats last surviving premiership player Ken Garland has called time on his decorated career.
Defender Mark McLaughlin also suffered a broken finger.
“Not the way I wanted to finish footy,” McLaughlin added.