In the biggest game of the round, second-placed Nagambie hosted third-placed Lancaster at Nagambie Recreation Reserve, and with second spot and the mantle of number one challenger to Shepparton East on the line, the contest certainly delivered.
Entering the clash off the back of their first loss since round two, the Lakers were looking to bounce back in fashion and reassert themselves over the resurgent Wombats, but Lancaster – having won seven games on the trot prior to the weekend – had other ideas.
In a brilliant battle that wouldn’t look out of place deep into finals, it was the Wombats that prevailed, emerging ahead 42-39 to claim a massive win on the road and seal an eighth straight victory.
It’s a result that shakes up the top four yet again, as the Wombats climb into second with a 9-1 record, demoting the Lakers to third following a second consecutive loss, having gone down to Tallygaroopna last weekend also.
The Redlegs pose a threat to Nagambie’s third spot on the ladder, too, having moved up to fourth at the expense of Rushworth at the weekend, with the Tigers having the bye.
Tallygaroopna has enjoyed a strong run of form over the past month to leap into the challenger conversation, too, and claimed a fifth-straight victory with a 50-37 victory over Girgarre on the road on Saturday to occupy fourth, one game behind the Lakers but with a game in hand, ahead of a clash against Shepparton East this weekend.
But the entire rest of the top four still has some way to go before they can mount a proper challenge to the Eagles, who continued on their merry way on Saturday, too, notching a mammoth 75-16 victory over Murchison-Toolamba at Central Park Recreation Reserve to remain a game and nearly 100 per cent clear of second-placed Lancaster.
Elsewhere, Merrigum notched the biggest win of the round with an 80-16 demolition of Undera to shore up sixth spot, while Stanhope beat Violet Town 41-26 to make it four losses on the trot for the Towners.
And in the sole contest on Sunday, Avenel ensured it remains a chance of sneaking into finals, cementing seventh spot and closing to within a game-and-a-half of sixth following a 50 to 35 win over Longwood.
