The unsociable 10am start affected the Cats playing numbers and also hindered their preparation as they couldn’t get going in the first half, being kept to two behinds in the opening two quarters.

The side trailed 6.7.43 to 0.2.2.

After the break, Muswellbrook played some of its best football of the year and only some skill errors prevented them from having a greater reward on the scoreboard.

Terrigal Avoca eventually ran out solid 72-point victors, 13.15.93 to 3.3.21.

Muswellbrook had three players kick one goal each; Kyle Bray, Dominic White and Jackson Channon.

The Cats’ best players were Adam Higham, Bray, Nigel Smith, White, regular contributor Cameron Benkovic and Jackson Cook.

Another pleasing sign for Muswellbrook was the performance of 15-year-olds Kaylub Howe and Riley Warners, who both played beyond their years.

Goals: Kyle Bray 1, Dominic White 1, Jackson Channon 1

Best: Adam Higham, Kyle Bray, Nigel Smith, Dominic White, Cameron Benkovic, Jackson Cook

Muswellbrook will welcome its first home game at Weeraman Field on Saturday, hosting reigning premiers Singleton on Nathan Duncan Memorial Shield Day.

In the GE Women’s Competition, the Cats played their inaugural match at Muswellbrook on Saturday.

Unfortunately, they had the misfortune of running into the absolutely-rampant Newcastle City Blues in the middle of a three-game tear in which the Blues have destroyed all of their opposition. 

Newcastle City kicked 15 goals in the first half and went on with the job in the second, eventually running out 196-point winners 28.28.196 to 0.0.0.

The outgunned Cats were best served by Meghann Sawkins, Ashlea Pritchard, Ashleigh Barrowcliffe, Karli Anshaw, Gyarn Rawson and D’Arcy Canavan.

The Muswellbrook women’s team has its second successive home game on Saturday, hosting Hunter Valley neighbours Singleton at Weeraman Field.