In the opening quarter the Cats gave the hosts a run for their money and managed to get out in front 25 to 17.

With only one reserve on the bench the Cats started to lose momentum in the second but kept the Swans within 30 points.

A half time spray from coach Damien Asanovski did little to revive the tired legs, coupled with a few clumsy fumbles in the back line and some tough hits in the middle the score blew out to 98-35 Goulburn’s way in the third.

A number of players were sidelined due to injury including Robert Wilkins who suffered a massive knock to the head and had to be taken off on a stretcher.

It was soon time for some of the Cats spectators to come out of retirement and pull on the boots one last time to help the boys out. The Cats gave it their all and fought to the very end but the strength, speed and agility of Goulburn proved too much in the end. The final score 154 to 42 proving the Swans want the premiership this year.

After the match coach Asanovski praised the gallant effort of the side and said they held their own against a side that was always going to be tough to beat.

“Don’t worry about the score board,” he said.

“We had them pretty worried until about half time, you should be proud of the effort you put in today.”

Asanovski said the home side were praying the Cats would run out of legs.

“It’s just unfortunate that it did happen because we were short of cattle,” he said.

Next week the Cats will be looking to field a full side when they take on Belconnen in Canberra on Sunday.