Cardiff (8.9.57) finished the last 20 minutes of the game strongly to narrowly defeat Lake Macquarie (6.7.43).

Club president and player Brad Farrell said his team was leading going into the last quarter, but were down to two players on the bench.

"Our execution let us down a little bit and we should have taken a bigger lead into the last quarter," Farrell said.

"When we are under pressure we need to be taking the right option and not pushing the ball forward at all costs.

"We're improving every game but we need to practise the little skills."

Farrell said Jeremy Cronin was the team's best closely followed by James Rigby.

"Jeremy played ruck for most of the game, as our usual ruckman was out with an ankle injury, so he had more responsibility then asked of in the past and he stepped up," Farrell said.

The Dockers will take on Warners Bay this Saturday at Feighan Oval, at noon.

Farrell said the team was looking forward to the local derby.

"The local derby always brings out the best in both teams," he said.

The Lake Macquarie Dockers' women's side recorded their first ever win, defeating Maitland 12.8.80 to 1.1.7 at home on Saturday. Coach Greg Yanda said Sheldon Janissen and Tahlia Simpson led the side in the absence of the regular co-captains, and demonstrated their leadership skills and played with great spirit and effort.

"The skill level continues to improve week by week and they are learning about the game every quarter," Yanda said.