Hawks were still working hard around the ground but Cats were starting to look dangerous as they closed the gap to just seven points by three-quarter time.

Williams had run over other sides in earlier games this year and they looked like taking control straight from the bounce with some attacking football.

However, Hardie was still holding Medlen under wraps and it was a lot of hard work from both sides as the ball went from one end to the other with some quick movement of the ball.

Hawks were desperate to win the game and they were not going to give in without a fight.

Young Daniel Gard was on top in this vital term, not only with some good strong leading and marking, but his passing of the ball always found a teammate in good position.

It was goal for goal as Williams would get to within a couple of points only to see Hawks take the ball down the other end and respond.

However, some undisciplined play by some Williams players saw two leave the field within minutes of each other for the rest of the game; the last one costing them a goal with a 50-metre penalty.

Williams continued to struggle and push the ball forward at every opportunity but the pressure and desperation of players from both sides caused them to misdirect passes by hand and foot, and their kicking for goal was sadly astray.

A number of shots for goal which should have been goals resulted in only points and a poor return for their efforts in the final term still saw them outscored in that final term.

When the final siren sounded with Hawks eight points in front, Williams had suffered their first defeat for the season, and the Narrogin side have gone a long way to ensuring their place in the top four.

With only one game to go, they have a one-game advantage over Wanderers and unless Wanderers can repeat this effort and knock Williams off on their own ground, Hawks will play in the first semi.

Hart made the most of his limited chances to kick anther seven goals and has maintained a remarkable average so far this season.

Boughton was clearly a winner on his wing with his pace and determination and Hardie did a great job for his side by wearing Medlen like a second skin and restricting him to a limited number of kicks and only two goals.

Andrew Crosby was one of his side’s shining lights up forward, kicking four goals and covering a lot of territory to provide a focal point.

Jamie Anderson ran hard all day and provided some physical presence with McLean and Harley the Cats’best.

Katanning Wanderers needed a win, and a big one, if they were to lift their percentage to be in a position to challenge Hawks for fourth position.

And win they did, by 87 points.

Unfortunately unless they can inflict the second successive loss on Williams the percentage gain may not help.

Damien Roe was in great form and finished the day with seven goals. Young teammate Collard put in another strong effort with Geoff Stade and Troy Flugge Wanderers best.

Wagin were still struggling with injuries to players and although they started well, were unable to contain Wanderers and are now looking for the end of the season.

Gillam and Ramsay were their only multiple goalscorers with Ben Robinson, Aaron Painter and Ramsay their best players.

Kukerin-Dumbleyung kept their hold on second place with a win over Boddington at Boddington.

Cougars seemed to have the game safely in their keeping but a strong finish by Eagles got them to within 19 points by the final siren.

The win keeps Cougars safely in second place, and the loss sees any chance Eagles had of making up ground on the top four fade away.

Three players for Cougars, Brad Joyce, Chad Davidson and Graeme Bolt, each kicked three goals with Doney, Roberts and Ditchburn showing good form coming towards the finals.

Jeremy King top scored with five goals for Eagles with Reid, Hayward and King their best.

Out at Wickepin, Warriors kept their chances of a second place finish with a big win over Brookton-Pingelly to lift their percentage, so it will be interesting to see the results of next week’s games.