Avenel regroups just before half-time in its come-from-behind victory over Girgarre. Photos: Wayne Herring.
There’s a gap between the top six and the rest following round nine of the Kyabram District League senior football competition, with some big results for finals aspirants as the league returned from the King’s Birthday weekend bye.
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It was business as usual for ladder-leader Nagambie, as the Lakers notched their eighth straight win with a crushing display over Undera on the road.
Travelling to Undera Recreation Reserve, the Lakers were at their brutal best, delivering a 28.20 (188) to 4.5 (29) belting over the Lions to notch their sixth victory by more than 100 points in what has been a stunning start to the year under new coach Anthony Haysom.
From the opening bounce the gulf in class was clear between the two sides as the Lakers piled on 7.3 (45) to Undera’s two straight goals to lead by 33 points at the first break, and the margin only widened from there.
Restricting the home side to two points in the second term while adding another 5.6 itself, Nagambie strode into the rooms at half-time with a mammoth 67-point lead, which is becoming the norm for the Lakers in 2026.
The premiership quarter saw the lead balloon beyond 100 points for the first time all afternoon, as Undera’s return of 1.1 failed to halt the visitors’ momentum in any capacity, as Nagambie booted another seven majors to lead 129-21 at the final change.
But the Lakers had saved their best for last, with a prolific 9.5 sent through the sticks in the final term, again restricting the Lions to a single goal for the quarter, to push the lead beyond 150 points as the siren sounded.
With 13 individual goal-kickers, it would be more efficient to list the Lakers who didn’t score as opposed to those who did, Tom Preece atop that list as best on ground despite not hitting the scoreboard, while the likes of Will Dalton, Blake Fothergill and Lucas McKinnon each kicked four.
Tom Barnes continues his brilliant campaign at the top of the league’s goal-kickers list with another handful, his haul of five a game-high and moving him to 47 for the season, while Ryan Coll was the only other multiple goal-kicker for the Lakers with three.
The win ensures Nagambie still sits comfortably atop the ladder with a percentage up above 430, more than 130 per cent clear of Lancaster in second. Lancaster also remains undefeated a game behind with a game in hand due to an additional bye.
Alex Crnko booted four goals for Avenel against Girgarre at the weekend.
Elsewhere, Avenel accounted for Girgarre at Avenel Recreation Reserve, with the Swans defeating the Roos 18.16 (124) to 13.3 (81) to move into fifth spot.
Despite trailing 6.8 (44) to 9.1 (55) at half time, the Swans roared home with 12 goals to four in the second half to nab the 43-point victory.
Braydon Avola lines up for goal.
Skipper Jack Myers led from the front as his side’s best in the win, while Paul Arandt, Nathan Woods, Nick Jolly, Zachary Graham and Jaedyn Kearney rounded out the best.
Alex Crnko did the most damage on the scoreboard with four majors, closely followed by Luke Furci with three, while the Avola brothers, Corey and Braydon, each had two, as did coach Joshua Delaney.
Luke Furci had a big impact on the scoreboard with three majors against Girgarre.
Lancaster enjoyed a big win on Saturday, defeating Violet Town 25.16 (166) to 8.4 (52) at Lancaster Recreation Reserve, led by six majors to Jamie Scapin and hauls of five to Zac Cerrone and skipper Charlie McLay.
Reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba remains third having also enjoyed a triple-figure win at the weekend, prevailing by a clean 100 points over Stanhope in the 22.14 (146) to 7.4 (46) victory at Murchison Recreation Reserve, with James Lloyd kicking 10 goals to back up his haul of 11 last time out.
Shepparton East enjoyed a strong 39-point victory over Longwood on the road to move back up to fourth spot, prevailing 14.11 (95) to 8.8 (56) over its fellow top six side with a final-quarter blitz.
In the final contest of the round, Rushworth turned a one-point half time lead into a 24-point victory over Tallygaroopna by the final siren, led by a best-on-ground performance from skipper Ethan Arnold and four goals to Ryan Beale at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve.
