Wombats fall to first loss, Undera’s big win

Lancaster is invincible no more after it went down to Nagambie at Nagambie Recreation Reserve, with the Lakers’ dominant third quarter the difference in the top of the table clash.

The visiting Wombats led 4.4 (28) to 3.6 (24) at half-time after overturning an 18-6 quarter-time deficit with three goals to one in the second term.

But Nick Ryan’s side was on the receiving end of a Lakers’ avalanche after the main break, as Nagambie piled on seven majors to Lancaster’s two, suddenly leading by 25 entering the fourth quarter.

The Wombats weren’t able to produce a sensational final term comeback, with the Lakers keeping them at arms-length.

Each side kicked two goals each in the period, culminating in Nagambie running out as a 12.8 (80) to 8.8 (56) winner.

Lancaster’s usual attacking threats were largely kept at bay in the defeat, with Morrie Serra and Ricky Thomson being its only multiple goal-kickers.

The Wombats also named Thomson, Thomas Davies, Billy Mclay, Zac Cerrone, Luke Davies and Matthew Fleming on their best players’ list.

The result was not only Lancaster’s first defeat of the season, but also put Nagambie back in the driver’s seat for the minor premiership.

Lancaster (9-1) is now second with a game in hand on the first-placed Lakers (10-1), though Nagambie still holds a significantly better percentage.

The Wombats will look to close the gap in that metric when they host struggling Girgarre this weekend.

Merrigum vs Undera

Undera returned to the winners’ list with a commanding 137-point victory over Merrigum at Merrigum Recreation Reserve.

The Lions raced out to a 37-12 lead by quarter-time and never looked back, adding another six goals to their total in the second term to hold a 12.5 (77) to 3.0 (18) advantage at half-time.

Another loss was on the cards for Merrigum as it returned from the main break, and the Bulldogs would only further struggle to contain Undera in the third and fourth quarters.

The Lions kept Jason Verhoeven’s side goalless in the second half while doubling their tally of majors, kicking four in the third quarter before saving their best period for the end with an eight-goal final term.

The 24.17 (161) to 3.6 (24) win for the visitors involved five of their players booting three or more majors, with Alex Hywood (five) leading the way.

Hywood also made Undera’s best alongside Matthew Perazzola, Anthony Miller, Jye Fitzsimmons, Zach Langlands, and Deakin Easterbrook, while the Merrigum list included Riley Williams, Kaleb Williams, Brayden Hall, Shaun Doolan, Brady Wileman and Kayden Davis.

The Bulldogs are still winless and bottom of the ladder, with their next challenge coming against Murchison-Toolamba.

Meanwhile, Undera (3-8) is sitting 10th and remains three wins off the finals spots, with the Lions hosting Longwood next.

Stanhope vs Violet Town

Stanhope did its chances of finishing in the top six no harm with a dominant 135-point victory over Violet Town at Stanhope Recreation Reserve.

The Lions led 47-14 at quarter-time, and effectively had the four points secured by the main break, with a five goals to one second term resulting in a 12.7 (79) to 3.3 (21) half-time advantage.

With percentage likely to come into play entering the season’s final rounds, Stanhope went for the jugular in the second half.

The Lions had already ballooned their lead to 106 points by three-quarter time with a nine-goal third term, before another six followed in the final period to close out a 27.16 (178) to 6.7 (43) win.

Stanhope player-coach Matthew Butler put in a sensational display by kicking 10 of the home side’s 27 goals, while Amir Meyerowitz accounted for another seven.

Butler and Meyerowitz currently sit fifth and third, respectively, on the competition’s top goal-kickers list.

Stanhope’s best on the day included Meyerowitz, Brett Smith, Stuart Trevena, Nathan O’Reilly, Jack Butler and Taylor Butler.

The Lions (6-5) currently occupy the last finals spot in sixth, and another favourable match-up awaits them this weekend against eighth-placed Rushworth.

Girgarre vs Tallygaroopna

Girgarre’s losing streak was extended to five matches, with the Kangaroos going down to Tallygaroopna by 32 points at Girgarre Recreation Reserve.

Girgarre was largely competitive throughout the contest, despite the final margin, with neither side dominant across any of the four quarters.

The Redlegs gave themselves a decent cushion at quarter-time, leading 21-6, before they also marginally won the second term with 2.4 to Girgarre’s 1.1, the hosts trailing 2.1 (13) to 5.7 (37) at half-time.

The sides were deadlocked in the third quarter as they each booted 2.1, which was no help to the Kangaroos, who still faced a four-goal deficit heading into the final term.

Girgarre’s defence stifled the Redlegs in the fourth, holding them to just 1.2.

But the Kangaroos were still unable to make any inroads on the margin as they were kept scoreless at the other end, Girgarre falling to a 4.2 (26) to 8.10 (58) loss.

It’s the fifth time this season that Tyler McNamara’s team has failed to score 50 or more points.

Ben Turpin, Jack Dunn, Tom Walsh, Joseph Jackson, Thomas Werner, and Jonah Cootes were named in Girgarre’s best on the day, the side now likely out of the finals race with five matches to play.

Girgarre (2-9) is 11th and four wins off the last finals spot, with its next match against Lancaster.

Elsewhere in round 12, Shepparton East caused a boil-over by handing reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba its third loss of the season, comfortably disposing of the Grasshoppers 15.11 (101) to 7.7 (49) at Central Park Recreation Reserve.

Meanwhile, the weekend’s only other game was a thriller between Longwood and Avenel at Longwood Recreation Reserve, the Swans holding off the Redlegs in the fourth quarter to win 15.10 (100) to 12.9 (91).