Round 13 of the Kyabram District Football League delivered a mix of tight clashes and blowout results.
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Stanhope and Undera edged Rushworth and Longwood, respectively, Merrigum fell at Murchison-Toolamba, while Lancaster posted a huge total against Girgarre.
RESULTS
Round 13
Rushworth 5.1, 6.3, 10.6, 13.6 (84) lt Stanhope 3.4, 8.7, 11.10, 15.14 (104)
Undera 7.2, 8.2, 13.6, 14.8 (92) d Longwood 1.1, 5.6, 6.10, 13.13 (91)
Lancaster 10.7, 15.15, 22.17, 31.23 (209) d Girgarre 0.1, 0.1, 2.1, 2.2 (14)
Murchison-Toolamba 5.7, 11.10, 16.16, 21.18 (144) d Merrigum 1.1, 1.3, 2.4, 3.5 (23)
Violet Town 0.0, 0.0, 0.1, 0.1 (1) lt Nagambie 8.6, 20.10, 31.16, 47.18 (300)
Tallygaroopna 1.2, 1.4, 3.6, 8.6 (54) lt Shepparton East 6.0, 8.4, 9.7, 17.10 (112)
Avenel bye
Rushworth vs Stanhope
Stanhope defeated Rushworth by 20 points in a see-sawing encounter at Rushworth Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers started stronger, kicking five first-quarter goals to the Lions’ three to take a slender lead into the first change.
But five straight majors for the visitors to begin the second term moved the match back in their favour, Stanhope taking an 8.7 (55) to 6.3 (39) advantage into half-time.
Matt Butler’s side booted two of the first three goals in the second half, at one stage leading 69-46, but Rushworth stayed in the fight.
The Tigers kicked three of the final four majors in the third quarter, setting up a thrilling final term as they only trailed by 10 points.
The hosts brought themselves to within seven midway through the fourth by booting two of the first three goals in the period.
But Stanhope found an extra gear to finish the game, booting three of the final four majors to keep Rushworth at arms-length in a 15.14 (104) to 13.6 (84) win.
Four players kicked a bag on the day, with Ryan Beale (four) leading the way for the Tigers, while player-coach Butler (four), Jye Patten (four) and Amir Meyerowitz (three) were the Lions’ top goal-kickers.
Beale made Rushy’s best players alongside Liam Adlington, Jackson McRae, Nicolas Collins, Brad Canny and Tommy Stevens, with Stanhope’s list including Lior Smart, Nathan O’Reilly, Jack Young, Luke Donnell, Tyler Norman and Tomas Fantasia.
Stanhope (7-5) recorded consecutive victories for the time since rounds four and five, and currently occupies the last finals spot in sixth, level on points with fifth-placed Avenel.
Meanwhile, ninth-placed Rushworth (4-7) was unable to notch back-to-back victories itself, something it hasn’t been able to achieve all season, with its post-season aspirations slowly fading.
Mark Wheatley’s side travels to Nagambie in round 14, while Stanhope will serve the bye.
Undera vs Longwood
Undera held on for a thrilling one-point win over Longwood at Undera Recreation Reserve.
The Lions made a stunning start, shocking their more-fancied opponent by laying on seven first-quarter goals, the Redlegs managing only one themselves.
But Undera’s 37-point quarter-time lead was immediately cut down in the second term, Longwood booting four majors to one and only trailing by 14 at half-time, 5.6 (36) to 8.2 (50).
Neither side was capable of taking control of the match for consecutive quarters, as the third saw Undera regain its earlier ascendancy.
The Lions kicked 5.4 to Longwood’s 1.4, opening up a 38-point three-quarter-time advantage and on the way to victory.
But the Redlegs would save their best period of the match for the final term, setting up a nervy finish for Undera.
Longwood outscored the Lions 45-8 in the fourth but fell a point short despite the dominance, with the hosts prevailing 14.8 (92) to 13.13 (91).
The win was significant, as Longwood is the only team currently above Undera on the ladder that it has defeated.
Jye Fitzsimmons led the way in the goal-kicking department for the Lions with four, and he was also on the best players’ list alongside Riley Moon, Beau Jackson, Matthew Perazzola, Zach Langlands, and Anthony Miller.
Undera (4-8) moved up two spots on the ladder to eighth with its second win in a row, but is still 12 points adrift of the top six.
The Lions face fifth-placed Avenel away from home in round 14.
Lancaster vs Girgarre
Lancaster recorded its biggest margin of victory this season with a 195-point triumph over Girgarre at Lancaster Recreation Reserve.
The Wombats ruled out the match as a contest from the get-go, racing to a 67-1 quarter-time lead after laying on 10 unanswered goals in the opening term.
Another five followed for the hosts in the second quarter. Girgarre was held scoreless for the period and goalless in the first half, as it already trailed by triple figures at half-time, 0.1 (1) to 15.15 (105).
The Kangaroos finally found two majors after the main break, but were totally outmatched by Lancaster.
The Wombats kicked 16 goals across the third and fourth quarters, coasting to a 31.23 (209) to 2.2 (14) victory.
Morrie Serra had another big day out for Lancaster, booting 10 majors, with Jamie Scapin (five) and Thomas Davies (four) also being notable goal contributors.
Serra was also named in the Wombats’ best with Samuel Jackson, Blake McAuliffe, Ryan Hatch, Billy Mclay and Matthew Fleming, while Girgarre’s list included Ben Turpin, Joseph Jackson, Cameron Gahan, Shaun Haffenden, Connor Moore and Jack Mackenzie.
Lancaster (10-1) remained second, as Nagambie won again to stay four points clear atop the ladder, though Nick Ryan’s side has a game in hand.
Girgarre (2-10) has now lost six matches in a row and is out of finals contention, sitting 11th.
The Kangaroos have a winnable game against 12th-placed Violet Town next, while Lancaster has a huge clash at fourth-placed Shepparton East.
Murchison-Toolamba vs Merrigum
Merrigum was defeated by 121 points in a heavy loss to Murchison-Toolamba at Muchison Recreation Reserve.
The Bulldogs were immediately put on the back foot by losing the first quarter 37-7.
Their hole was only dug deeper in the second term, Murchison laying on another six goals while holding Merrigum to just two behinds to take an 11.10 (76) to 1.3 (9) lead into half-time.
Jason Verhoeven’s side was able to add a couple of majors after the main break, but the Grasshoppers kicked another 10 goals across the third and fourth quarters to secure a percentage-boosting 21.18 (144) to 3.5 (23) win.
Shelby Ludlow-Lambrick, Samuel Macadam, Shaun Doolan, Brady Wileman, Tyler Schoots and Brayden Hall were named the Bulldogs’ best in the defeat.
Merrigum remains winless 11 matches into its season, with a home meeting against Tallygaroopna up next.
Elsewhere in round 13, Nagambie recorded the biggest margin of victory in the competition this season by thumping Violet Town 47.18 (300) to 0.1 (1).
The round’s only other game saw Shepparton East cruise past Tallygaroopna 17.10 (112) to 8.6 (54) for its seventh straight victory.