Despite trailing 1.4 to 3.3 at the end of the opening quarter, the Cats looked good against the finals-bound Grasshoppers at Colbinabbin Recreation Reserve.
In fact, the two sides went goal for goal throughout the second period, both sides nailing a trio of maximums, with LBU tallying a few extra behinds to shave off some of the deficit.
However, things began to unravel for the Cats in the third term, with the Grasshoppers holding them scoreless after half-time.
Scoring proved difficult, but Colbo managed to put 2.3 on the board to extend its lead out to 20 with the final frame looming.
LBU couldn’t slot through a single scoring shot in the fourth quarter, while the Grasshoppers piled on 4.3 to skate to a 47-point victory at the full-time siren.
The 4.12 (36) to 12.11 (83) defeat is a symptom of a disease the Cats will be all too familiar with by now, letting a quarter or two define an otherwise competitive game.
Jack O’Callaghan, Tyler Phillips, Matt Hore, Bowden Stone, Cody Mann and Brayden Hull were the shining lights of LBU’s loss with Matthew Butler proving lethal up front with three goals.
The Cats will have a good chance to get back on the winners’ list when they travel to Barrack Reserve to face Heathcote in round 13.
Elmore v Huntly
Elmore found itself outclassed by a free-scoring Huntly at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
The Hawks had the better of the first half, but the game was still there to be won for both sides with the score at the main break reading 7.9 (51) to 6.3 (39) in the visitor’s favour.
However, the Bloods capitulated after the break, going scoreless in the third and managing just one goal in the fourth.
Meanwhile, Huntly continued to score confidently and ran away with the fixture, 16.17 (113) to 7.4 (36).
Sam Dunstan cashed in on his side’s offensive dominance with seven majors for the Hawks, while two from Liam Bianco and Jake Dick-O’Flaherty was the best the Bloods could muster.
Elmore’s next fixture will be a trip to Mt Pleasant on Saturday.
Leitchville-Gunbower v Mt Pleasant
A slow start and an underwhelming finish prevented Leitchville-Gunbower from pulling off an almighty upset against finals lock Mt Pleasant.
Hosting the Mighty Mounts at Gunbower Recreation Reserve, the Bombers didn’t get off to the start they would’ve liked, kicking just one minor in the opening quarter.
Meanwhile, the visitor got off to a hot start, nailing four through the middle sticks to get out to a 25-point lead at the first break.
L-G well and truly found its feet in the second period, putting four shots on goal through for maximum return, while the Mighty Mounts settled for two goals tacked on to the tally, the difference increasing slightly in favour of the visitor at half-time.
A tidy 3.1 effort kept the Bombers in the game, while Mt Pleasant did just enough to keep its nose in front with 3.3.
Scoring proved difficult for both teams in the fourth quarter, with the Bombers settling for just 1.3, a far cry from what was required to win the game.
The Mighty Mounts could only do slightly better with two goals to finish their day, their earlier work shining through to take a 24-point win behind enemy lines.
Tom Brereton was L-G’s most lethal scorer with two goals and was joined on the best list by Ben Embleton, Charles Hancock, Austin Windridge, Bradley Green and Jye Keath.
Mt Pleasant hosts Elmore next weekend.
North Bendigo v White Hills
The table-topping Bulldogs crushed the floundering Demons, scoring the win by more than 150 points.
Apart from a balanced third period where only four points separated the sides, White Hills was wiped off the park by the title favourite.
North Bendigo racked up a massive 70 points in two different quarters in the comprehensive 30.19 (199) to 7.2 (44) victory.
