Having been the closest challenger to runaway leader Shepp East for the first half of the season, the Lakers’ two most recent contests prior to the weekend had ended in defeat, ensuring they dropped from second to third behind Lancaster, with the Wombats also possessing a game in hand.
But on a rare Sunday afternoon fixture, the Lakers corrected course at Violet Town Recreation Reserve, earning a solid 51-28 victory over the Towners to move to 9-3 for the season and stop the mini-slide in its tracks at two losses.
Tasman Taylor-Lloyd led the Lakers’ charge, with the victory also keeping fourth-placed Rushworth at bay for at least another week, with the two sides set to clash in a round 14 third-versus-fourth blockbuster.
Elsewhere across the league, the most intriguing clash of round 13 played out between runaway leader and reigning premier Shepparton East and the recent mover and shaker Tallygaroopna.
Hosting the Eagles at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve, the Redlegs would have entered the clash with a quiet confidence, having come the closest to the reigning premier of any side this season back in round one and going without loss over the previous eight encounters before the weekend to move into the top four.
But the form line of Tallygaroopna paled in comparison to the ridiculous 28-game streak the Eagles possessed, and true to form, it was East that prevailed 37-27 to now stand on the cusp of a remarkable 30 games without loss.
The 10-goal victory ensures the Eagles remain a game and a significant chunk of percentage clear of second-placed Lancaster heading into a blockbuster first-versus-second clash, while Tallygaroopna now slips to sixth following the loss.
The Wombats also had a big win at the weekend, comfortably defeating Girgarre 48-19 to seemingly sink the Roos’ hopes of sneaking into finals, as they now sit two-and-a-half games outside the top six with four games remaining.
Lancaster’s 29-goal victory wasn’t be the biggest of the round, either, as it was pipped to that honour by Rushworth, with the Tigers proving far too strong for Stanhope.
Hosting the 11th-placed Lions at Ironbark Stadium, the Tigers claimed a comprehensive 48-15 win to jump back into fourth spot on the ladder ahead of Tallygaroopna, making it two wins on the trot ahead of the mammoth clash against Nagambie this weekend.
The remaining contest on Saturday saw Longwood and Undera do battle, with the Lions looking for their first win of the season and the Redlegs their second. While close, it was Longwood that emerged victorious 32-29 after a competitive showing from both outfits, with Undera made to wait at least another week before securing an elusive win.
Sunday’s second fixture saw Merrigum notch a 47-25 win over Murchison-Toolamba to shore up its spot in the top six.
