The Cats were at level-pecking with the Timboon Demons at quarter-time and couldn't quite pin down Marcus Hickey's side in the first half.

Despite a lead of 24 points at the main break, Price thought the Demons, spurred on by the home-ground advantage, could easily power their back into the game. 

But after a 10-minute deadlock in the third quarter, Justin Fedley - who was best-on-ground - took a contested mark in the forward arc and converted. 

"It just gave us that new lease of momentum and stretched the lead to 30 points," Price said.

Allansford would go on to dominate proceedings in the final stanza, registering a 13.17 (95) to 5.12 (42) victory as Robbie Hare finished with a game-high five goals. 

Price said he was proud of the side's backline, which provided strong tackling pressure while also launching plenty of attacking forays. 

"We put an emphasis on being miserly and preventing our direct opponents from hitting the scoreboard, so that was a big tick for the defence," he said. 

Price said another key to the win was nullifying Hickey's ruck work. 

"He's probably the best in the competition for what he gives the on-ball brigade," the Cats coach said. 

"But we're aware of that and worked hard defensively into his hit zones, making sure we had blokes there to surround Timboon's exit points."

Price was impressed with Matt Lenehan, who was selected by Timboon as Allanford's best-on, along with the Cats' debutants Jason Murrell, Pat Higgins, Dylan Cross and Reuben Gleeson.

Price said he was rapt with Allanford's ball movement, but would look forward to running some goal-kicking practice at training this week after the Cats missed five set shots within forty-five metres.

"You can't scoff at 30 scoring shots, but it would have been nice to have a few more in the goal tally," he said.

"There weren't any absolute sitters, but we'd like to be kicking those goals in the next few weeks."

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