Maddern’s shot capped off what Kaniva-Leeor coach Jonno Hicks termed his team’s best performance of the season.
Patrick Munn played his best match of the year with a game-high four goals, Daniel White relished an opportunity to play on ball, and former AFL player Harley Bennell again showed his class, but Hicks said it was a team effort that earned the Cougars a win.
“It was one of our more impressive team performances. We have our vote cards every Saturday for best players and there was a big spread,” he said.
“We named our best side for the year, which always helps. We had everyone available basically for the first time all season.
“They stuck to the task and it was awesome to get a win in that sort of situation, because it doesn’t happen very often. It was an exciting day for the club.”
Best for the visitors were Bill Hansen, Mitch Gleeson and Kane Timmins.
Rupanyup is still certain to play finals, but Saturday’s loss could put the Panthers – who at their best have challenged undefeated reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral – on track to play an away elimination final.
Meanwhile, the Cougars will miss post-season action this year, but Hicks said Saturday’s win could act as a springboard to further improvement next season.
“I feel like we’ve had improvement as a team and as individuals. There are players who have really picked up this year and hopefully they can carry that sort of attitude and keep developing next season,” he said.

Declan Bushby and Harley Pope, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Riley Dunlop tackles Andrew Cameron, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Brett Hargreaves tackles Damian Cameron, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Izabella McIntyre, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Michaela Armer, Swifts, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Izabella McIntyre, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Edwinda Flakemore and Izabella McIntyre, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Jane Tucker, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Brooke Pay guards Rebbekkah Seeary, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Angus Murray tackles Judah Hobbs, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Brock Orval, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Dawson Cross, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

James Hallett, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Scott Carey, Swifts, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Riley Dunlop, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Jesse Galea-Portelli, Swifts, Jayden Besford, NQ, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Brett Hargreaves, Swifts, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Angus Murray, Swifts, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Riley Dunlop chases Andrew Cameron, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Harley Pope tackles Ryan Folkes, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.

Ryan Folkes, Swifts, Noradjuha-Quantong vs Swifts.
“The way we finished the season last year was really disappointing. We really fell away and our attitude dropped off, so this year the group has addressed that.
“We’re really lucky that we’ve a good leadership group and they’ve identified that last year wasn’t good enough and they don’t want that to happen again.”
Hicks said Kaniva-Leeor hoped to entice Bennell to stay beyond this season.
“Adding Harley to the side has been a huge benefit, both with his football but also the direction and the confidence he gives his team mates,” he said.
“He’s been a fantastic team member, and that’s helped boost us in the second half of the year.
“I think Harley is in conversations with the club about playing next year.
“We’ve been thrilled to have him as a person who was supposed to be coming as a one-off and then it was meant to be two, and then it turned into the whole second half of the season.
“He’s been an absolute pleasure to have.”
Elsewhere, Noradjuha-Quantong received a timely confidence boost with a 12.9 (81) to 7.11 (53) win against Swifts, atoning for a 31-point loss to the Baggies earlier this year.
The win gives the Bombers, who were led by coach Damian Cameron, who has re-signed for 2025, and the likes of Dawson Cross, Jack Vague and James Hallett, an inside track on a top-three finish, leading fourth-placed Laharum by nearly 30 percentage points.
Harrow-Balmoral thrashed Natimuk United by 180 points, winning 32.19 (211) to 5.1 (31) with an even distribution of goal kickers, while Laharum easily accounted for Taylors Lake, winning 13.15 (93) to 4.8 (32).
Kalkee upset Pimpinio in the final game of the round, winning 13.6 (84) to 6.11 (47) thanks to Ben Lawson’s seven goals.
The Kees have a bye this weekend along with Laharum and Noradjuha-Quantong, while Natimuk United hosts Edenhope-Apsley, Harrow-Balmoral travels to take on Swifts, Taylors Lake is away to Rupanyup and Pimpinio welcomes Kaniva-Leeor United.
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