Cats in the Doghouse after slow second half

However, the Bulldogs were reinvigorated on both sides of the ball after the break, crushing the Cats’ fightback with a dominant 65-12 second half in what turned into a comfortable 17.15 (117) to 7.11 (53) victory.

Earlier, North Bendigo burst to the lead with a seven-goal, 45-point first quarter.

Lockington did well to keep pace, kicking 3.4 (22) and backed it up with another three goals to one in the second quarter to tighten things before the eventual Bulldogs blowout in the second half.

Thomas Leech was active around forward 50 in the first two quarters and finished the game with four of his side’s seven majors.

At the other end, Jordan Ford put his stamp on the game for North Bendigo kicking six goals.

The round 10 defeat drops the Cats to fifth place (5-4), level with Leitchville-Gunbower, and will provide a head scratcher for coach Jayden Howe, whose side may well see the Bulldogs (5-1-3) again come finals time.

Despite a slow start, North Bendigo now has the league’s best percentage, even eclipsing the undefeated leader Mount Pleasant.

Lockington will look to get back on track this weekend, hosting the lower-ranked White Hills at Lockington Recreation Reserve.