In a huge round that saw the top four sides play each other, Nagambie and Lancaster did battle at Nagambie Recreation Reserve in a top two clash that had plenty on the line, with the winner to assume the top position on the ladder at the end of round 12.
It delivered early, too, as the Lakers raced to a two-goal lead at quarter-time, albeit with 2.6 to their name opposed to Lancaster’s 1.0 straight, only for the Wombats to surge back to a four-point advantage by the half having restricted the Lakers to a single goal in the second term, setting up an epic finale after the main break between two likely contenders come September.
But with a wicked third quarter that yielded seven goals, the Lakers blew the Wombats out of the water, claiming a 25-point advantage at the final break, and held on for an eventual 12.8 (80) to 8.8 (56) victory, solidifying their status as the team to beat in 2026.
It was a stunning second half performance by Nagambie, led by Blake Fothergill, who booted two goals and was named the Lakers’ best in the win, while Paul Fry, David Comi and Ryan Coll (one goal) weren’t far behind, and both Mark Nolan and Trent Laverie (one goal) were also influential.
Tom Barnes booted three goals in another solid showing, while Will Dalton and Kobi Maynard each booted two majors to round out the multiple goalkickers.
The win ensures the Lakers boast a one game gap at the top of the ladder after 12 rounds, and although they have played an extra game compared to second-placed Lancaster, the percentage gap is significant.
In the other top four clash of the round, Shepparton East delivered a crushing 15.11 (101) to 7.7 (49) victory reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba at Central Park Recreation Reserve, reminding the rest of the competition it is still a potent force.
From the opening bounce the Eagles looked on song and it was reflected on the scoreboard at quarter-time, with the home side enjoying a 3.2 (20) to 0.1 (1) lead, keeping the Hoppers goalless in a stunning start to establish a lead from which they would never be headed.
Murchison-Toolamba managed to turn it up a notch in the second term and claw back to level footing across the ground, though the visitors were unable to eat into the margin at all, with both sides booting 3.2 for the term to go into the rooms at the half with the Eagles still holding the same 19-point advantage.
It would be as close as the Hoppers got for the rest of the game, though, as the Eagles turned it on in the second half.
A 5.4 to 1.3 third term in favour of East all but ended the visitors’ hopes of a comeback as the home side flexed its muscle, racing out to a comfortable 44-point lead at three-quarter time, a margin which eventually became 52 points as the Eagles continued to surge until the final siren.
The win ensures the fourth-placed Eagles now move level with the third-placed Hoppers on the ladder, too, each with eight wins, however, with a game in hand over the reigning premier, could soon find themselves ahead.
Around the grounds, Stanhope monstered Violet Town 27.16 (178) to 6.7 (43) at Stanhope Recreation Reserve, with coach Matthew Butler booting 10 goals, while Undera enjoyed a similarly mammoth win over Merrigum, prevailing 24.17 (161) to 3.6 (24) at Merrigum Recreation Reserve.
Tallygaroopna ground out an 8.10 (58) to 4.2 (26) win over Girgarre at Girgarre Recreation Reserve, while on a standalone Sunday fixture, Avenel survived a late Longwood fightback to win 15.10 (100) to 12.19 (91) at Longwood Recreation Reserve.
