Munari’s shift from defence to the midfield/forward early in the season has worked wonders for the Eagles, which blitzed the Cats by 97 points.

He kicked six goals to take his season tally to 43 and be named the home side’s best ahead of a host of players including Mark Gunnell, Matt Raworth and Brad Hallam.

The win did come at a cost for the fifth-placed Eagles, with coach Gary Learmonth reporting injuries to Jye Cousins (concussion), Luke Gunnell (concussion), Steve Nicholson (hand) and Tye Murphy (leg).

Joint-coach Dan Wehrung was rated as Newlyn’s standout performer.

Meanwhile, Newlyn’s Chris Eastwell has copped a five-match suspension for an incident that left Springbank player Lachlan Mahar with “significant facial injuries”.

Newlyn will be hoping it can make finals this season, or else Eastwell’s year may over.

The incident occurred in round 10 in the reserves competition and a Central Highlands Football League investigation was the result.

Following the investigation, it was recommended the matter go straight to the tribunal, Eastwell being charged with unbecoming conduct.

The Springbank Football Club wished to keep its comments on the matter brief.

However, president David Toohey assured all concerned that Mahar was recovering well from what was described as a significant facial injury, adding the club did not wish to expand on the specifics of the injury.

While Newlyn president Simon Dwyer said the club would not appeal the decision, opting to put the matter behind it.