After more competitive fixtures over the previous two weekends, a slate of one-sided affairs returned to the Kyabram District League across round seven.
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Lancaster continued to keep pace at the top by trouncing Tallygaroopna, Rushworth and Girgarre notched significant victories against Undera and Merrigum, respectively, while Stanhope let go of the rope late in a loss to Avenel.
RESULTS
Round seven
Merrigum 2.2, 4.2, 6.4, 6.5 (41) lt Girgarre 6.2, 9.5, 14.9, 18.13 (121)
Undera 0.0, 3.1, 5.6, 7.10 (52) lt Rushworth 5.1, 11.8, 15.12, 21.14 (140)
Tallygaroopna 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.2 (14) lt Lancaster 3.6, 6.10, 13.16, 20.24 (144)
Avenel 3.2, 6.6, 10.11, 20.15 (135) d Stanhope 0.5, 3.7, 7.12, 9.15 (69)
Longwood 2.1, 2.3, 4.4, 7.8 (50) lt Nagambie 7.1, 17.2, 24.6, 31.11 (197)
Murchison-Toolamba 4.4, 7.9, 11.12, 17.15 (117) d Violet Town 0.4, 1.6, 3.8, 3.9 (27)
Shepparton East bye
Merrigum faced Girgarre in a battle between two struggling sides at Merrigum Recreation Reserve, and the Kangaroos — seeking only their second win of the season — made a strong start by kicking six goals to two in the first quarter.
The second term was much more even, the Bulldogs again booting two majors, while somewhat slowing down Girgarre, which still won the period with three of its own to take a comfortable 9.5 (59) to 4.2 (26) lead into half-time.
A comeback from winless Merrigum seemed unlikely, being five goals down at the main break, particularly with the Roos only improving in the second half, doubling their goals tally with another nine to run out an 18.13 (121) to 6.5 (41) winner.
Girgarre captain Billy Barnes put in a remarkable performance on the day by booting 13 goals, while Daniel Beattie was the top scoring Bulldog with three majors.
Both players were also named in their side’s best players list, with the hosts also including Riley Williams, Brayden Hall, Aidan Carroll, Shelby Ludlow-Lambrick, and Shaun Doolan, and the visitors naming Riley McNamara, Ben Turpin, Harry Browning-Briese, Reardon McIvor, and Jack Mackenzie.
A second win of the season for Girgarre moved it up two spots to ninth on the ladder ahead of a home clash against Longwood, while Merrigum remain rooted to the bottom, aiming for a change of fortunes when it travels to Shepparton East.
Undera v Rushworth
Undera and Rushworth met at Undera Recreation Reserve having experienced contrasting round six results, and it was the Tigers — coming off defeat to Avenel — who started stronger, booting five first quarter goals while holding the Lions scoreless.
Undera improved in the second term by kicking its first three goals of the game, but Rushworth would improve upon its opening period with another six majors, having one hand on the four points at half-time with an 11.8 (74) to 3.1 (19) lead.
The visitors had suffered heavy losses already this season and saw an opportunity to help resuscitate their percentage in the second half, as the Tigers put additional gloss on the win with 10 goals to four after half-time, winning 21.14 (140) to 7.10 (52).
Daniel Brock was key for Rushworth, adding another five goals to his season tally, and he was aided by three majors each for Nicolas Collins and Kieran Malone, while Kade Bellingham and Russell Sheriff both kicked a pair for Undera.
Mittch Lee, Ethan Arnold, Matthew Ludbrook, and Ryan Beale joined Brock and Collins in the Tigers’ best, with the Lions’ list including Anthony Miller, Riley Moon, Matthew Perazzola, Sam Billinge, Zach Langlands and Marley Edwards.
The heavy defeat saw Undera slip down to 11th on the ladder, while two wins from three for Rushy has it sitting eighth, with both sides facing challenges this weekend, as the Lions travel to Stanhope and the Tigers host Murchison-Toolamba.
Tallygaroopna v Lancaster
Lancaster travelled to Tallygaroopna looking to prolong its perfect start to the season, and the Wombats made a solid, if unspectacular, start at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve, kicking three goals to two in an even first quarter.
The Wombats held the Redlegs to one behind in the second term while adding another three majors at the other end, though inaccuracy prevented Lancaster from having a more comfortable margin, though it led 6.10 (46) to 2.1 (13) at half-time.
The visitors continued to create scoring shots at will across the third and fourth quarters but would be more clinical, still racking up behinds, but also booting 14 goals and keeping Tally goalless in a dominant 20.24 (144) to 2.2 (14) victory.
Morrie Serra (seven) and Zac Cerrone (three) were responsible for half of Lancaster’s majors, with Adam Lovison, Sam Vick, Max Carroll, and Daniel Foley joining the duo on the Wombats’ best players list.
Despite another win, Lancaster continues to be behind Nagambie on the ladder in second — the Lakers also sitting with a 6-0 record — with it currently being a case of who will blink first, the Wombats having a week off with a bye this weekend.
Avenel v Stanhope
Stanhope entered a trip to Avenel having played well in each of its previous three outings, though it endured a slow start at Avenel Recreation Reserve, failing to kick a first-quarter goal while conceding three at the other end.
The Swans booted three majors again in the second term, but the Lions finally got going offensively, kicking three of their own to remain competitive at half-time, only trailing 3.7 (25) to 6.6 (42).
Stanhope continued to go toe-to-toe with Avenel after the first quarter as the two sides posted the same total in the third period, each kicking 4.5 as the margin remained at 17 points heading into the fourth.
The Lions defence had struggled to contain the Swans attack through three quarters, and in the final term, the floodgates opened for the hosts, as Avenel kicked a whopping 10 majors to Stanhope’s two, in the end comfortably winning 20.15 (135) to 9.15 (69).
Amir Meyerowitz had another strong game for the visitors despite the loss, booting five goals, while he was joined by Stuart Trevena, Lior Smart, Tyler Norman, Rory James Patterson and Taylor Butler in Stanhope’s best.
The Lions remain seventh on the ladder, though the aforementioned wins for Rushworth and Girgarre mean Stanhope is only a win clear of the three sides directly below it, with a clash against Undera up next.
Elsewhere, Nagambie continued a flawless start to 2026 by posting an impressive 147-point win over finals contender Longwood at Longwood Recreation Reserve, winning 31.11 (197) to 7.8 (50).
In the round’s only other game, reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba expectedly beat Violet Town at home, the Grasshoppers proving far too strong in a 17.15 (117) to 3.9 (27) victory.