Rushworth has received a big blow in its race for second position, falling to Tallygaroopna 33-36 at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday to fall a game behind both Nagambie in second and Lancaster in third.
The Tigers, who made a preliminary final appearance in 2025, were right in the hunt for the best of the rest spot behind the Eagles on the ladder, having made up significant percentage on their rivals amid an undefeated month of netball.
But the Redlegs, who have been perhaps stronger than their 3-2-1 record heading into the contest suggested, defied the odds to clinch a huge result to advance themselves into fifth.
The loss for Rushworth also adds even more importance to the clash against Lancaster this weekend, with a win for the Wombats creating an effective two-game gap between the sides, given Lancaster – who is currently level on 24 points with the Tigers - has a game in hand.
The Wombats were in fine form at the weekend, too, comfortably accounting for fellow top six side Violet Town in a huge 54-16 victory, demoting the Towners to seventh in what is quickly becoming a packed ladder from fifth to ninth.
Avenel is back into the finals picture at this stage, finishing the round in sixth following a solid 61-48 victory over Girgarre at Avenel Recreation Reserve, the Swans improving their record to 4-4 as they chase a second consecutive finals appearance, while the Roos languish down in 10th spot despite finishing as runner-up last season.
Murchison-Toolamba keeps its season alive, just one game off the finals pace, following a 39-30 victory over Stanhope, notching a third win of the season to remain a chance heading into the back half of the year.
The Hoppers will face Nagambie next week, though, and it is a super strong Lakers lineup this season that continues to keep the pressure on at the top of the ladder.
With a devastating 73-18 victory at the weekend over the winless Undera, the Lakers remain the closest challengers in second spot behind Shepp East, and the only other side besides the Eagles with a percentage above 200, as they look to contend come September.
But there is still plenty of work to do to stop the runaway Eagles, who notched the biggest win of the weekend at the expense of Longwood, delivering a 66-6 demolition to remain unbeaten in 27 consecutive games stretching back to the 2024 preliminary final.
