Heading into the clash at Barooga Recreation Reserve with the winner set to inherit third spot, it was the reigning premier that flexed its muscle after a tight start, claiming an 11.10 (76) to 9.7 (61) victory that has big ramifications for the makeup of the first round of finals.
As expected it was a tight start to the contest on Saturday, with both sides unwilling to yield, and headed into the quarter time huddle locked at 2.2 (14) apiece.
But the Tigers found an extra gear after the first break with a huge six-goal-to-two second term, opening up a 25-point gap by half time from which they wouldn’t be headed.
The Hawks were valiant, though, closing the deficit to just 12 points by the final change courtesy of a three-goal-to-one third quarter, trailing 47 to 59 at three-quarter time, however the Tigers had enough left in the tank to close out the 15-point victory.
Mitch Coleman booted six majors as the Tigers’ best, while Will McKinnon was named best afield for Barooga in the loss.
The win ensures Katamatite finish third, avoiding a first-round finals match up against red hot Katandra, with the Hawks - who finish fourth in a brilliant first campaign back in the league - set to face the minor premier instead.
It is a formidable task, with the Kats completing an extraordinary undefeated campaign at the weekend with another crushing victory in the final round.
The Kats made it 16 wins from 16 with a 128-point demolition of Dookie United on Saturday, winning 22.12 (144) to 2.4 (16) to secure the minor premiership and cap a flawless regular season eight points clear at the top with a percentage of 271.53.
Elsewhere, Waaia secured second place at 14-2 after defeating Strathmerton 16.15 (111) to 7.6 (48).
Those results have produced an intriguing opening fortnight of the top-eight finals series, which begins next weekend.
Fifth-placed Strathmerton will face eighth-placed Deniliquin Rovers in the first elimination final at Tocumwal on Saturday, August 15, with the loser eliminated.
Sixth-placed Jerilderie and seventh-placed Berrigan will then meet in the second elimination final at Rennie on Sunday, August 16.
The top four receive a weekend off before the qualifying finals.
Minor premier Katandra will face fourth-placed Barooga at Katunga on Saturday, August 22, while Waaia and Katamatite will renew acquaintances in a heavyweight second-versus-third battle at Strathmerton the following day.
Around the grounds, Berrigan produced the biggest score of the final round, smashing Mathoura 31.31 (217) to 3.2 (20).
Jerilderie tuned up for finals with a 38-point win over Tocumwal, 20.8 (128) to 13.12 (90), while Deniliquin Rovers secured its finals berth with a 94-point dismantling of Blighty, 20.7 (127) to 4.9 (33).
Tungamah finished its campaign emphatically with a 25.11 (161) to 9.5 (59) victory over Rennie, while Picola United defeated Katunga 15.10 (100) to 11.13 (79).
But the premiership spotlight now falls firmly on Katandra.
Sixteen games, 16 wins and a minor premiership secured; the Kats will now have a week to prepare before their bid to turn a perfect home-and-away season into a PDL premiership begins in earnest.
Meanwhile, Tungamah will enter the PDL Netball finals as minor premier after completing a dominant 15-1 campaign with a 77-30 victory over Rennie.
Deni Rovers secured second with an 88-6 demolition of Blighty, while Dookie United held third despite a 49-46 loss to fourth-placed Katandra.
The top four will have a week off before Tungamah faces Katandra and Deni meets Dookie in the qualifying finals, while the opening weekend of finals pits fifth-placed Tocumwal against eighth-placed Picola United and sixth-placed Waaia against seventh-placed Katamatite.
