After an upset loss to Undera in round five, the Swans were keen to make amends in their round six match-up against Tallygaroopna, and that they did, claiming a 43-point win over Tallygaroopna at Avenel Recreation Reserve.
It took until the second half for the Swans to make sure of things, however, with the Redlegs proving dead-eyes in front of goal in the first half, booting seven straight at half time to remain in the contest, just six points behind Avenel, with the Swans having put 7.6 (48) on the board across the first two quarters.
But the Swans proved far too strong in the end, with Alex Crnko and Nicholas Goodwin both enjoying bags of five as Avenel corrected its course following last week’s loss, storming home in the second half to record a 15.15 (105) to 10.2 (62) win.
Meanwhile Undera could not replicate the heroics of round five in their battle against Nagambie, going down 6.5 (41) to the Lakers’ 22.16 (148) at Nagambie Recreation Reserve.
The Lakers are making themselves a real presence so far in 2025, with a white-hot second term which saw them slam home eight goals only bettered by a 10-goal fourth quarter, with their scoring woes from last season seemingly solved.
Will Dalton and Tom Barnes, both of whom missed last year through injury, kicked 11 between them at the weekend against the Lions, and are spearheading a Nagambie side that is on a collision course with Murchison-Toolamba in round eight, which is set to be an absolute corker between the challenger and the title holder.
The Hoppers suffered a bit of a scare at the weekend, however, with a plucky Rushworth pushing the reigning premier right until the final siren.
Travelling to Rushworth Recreation Reserve, Murchison-Toolamba went in as heavy favourites against the Tigers given their unbeaten start to 2025, and went about their business as expected, opening up a 19-point lead by quarter-time courtesy of a six-goal-to-three first term.
The margin was extended to 25 points by the long break as the Hoppers again outscored the Tigers in the second term, although the advantage wasn’t insurmountable, which Rushworth proved in a blistering third quarter.
In a staggering turnaround, the ‘premiership quarter’ was dominated by the Tigers, rather than the reigning premier, as Rushworth doubled its score by booting 6.3, while restricting the Hoppers to just 1.3 to take a five-point lead heading into the three-quarter time huddle.
Unfortunately for Rushworth, the 2024 premier found a response with the game on the line, managing to hit the scoreboard with three majors to deny the Tigers what would have been a remarkable upset, with the Hoppers eventually clinching a 14.10 (94) to 13.7 (85).
Shepparton East continues to hold on to second spot on the ladder for the time being following a 19.9 (123) to 4.9 (33) drubbing of Girgarre at Central Park Recreation Reserve, with skipper Ryan Pfeiffer leading the way, booting three goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Lancaster out the disappointment of last week’s one-point loss behind it with a big 83-point win over Violet Town, with recruit Blake McAuliffe named the Wombats’ best in the 14.21 (105) to 3.4 (22) triumph.
Longwood also secured an 89-point victory, with Jordan Formosa’s troops booting 21.10 (136) to Merrigum’s 8.5 (53), as Liam Edwards booted eight for the Redlegs but had to settle for second behind his coach in the best.
Netball
Round six of the Kyabram District League A-grade netball competition was headlined by a blockbuster preliminary final rematch between reigning premier Girgarre and Shepparton East and it did not disappoint.
With both sides heading into the contest undefeated, all eyes were on the Central Park Recreation Reserve courts as the two heavyweights of the competition went toe-to-toe, and it was Shepparton East that emerged victorious, with the Eagles claiming a 37-34 win to remain the only unbeaten side after six rounds.
It was a stunning victory by the Eagles, who fell to Girgarre by 10 goals on the penultimate weekend last season, and affirms them, for the time being at least, as premiership favourites for season 2025.
The Eagles were led by reigning club best and fairest Lauren James in the win, who continued her fine start to the year, while Sarah Maskell and Kate Durling were also influential, with the win a huge step in their quest to add another A-grade flag to hang alongside their most recent triumph in 2023.
Elsewhere, the 2024 runner-up Lancaster has continued its turbulent start to the 2025 season, with the Wombats going down 27-44 at the hands of Violet Town.
The loss leaves the Wombats in eighth with a 2-3 record from their five games, with the Towners adding insult to injury by leapfrogging Lancaster on the ladder, assuming seventh spot with a 2-4 record, although they are yet to face the bye.
Merrigum added to Longwood’s woes with a 44-34 triumph at Longwood Recreation Reserve, the Bulldogs claiming win number two for the season while the Redlegs remain winless.
Rushworth climbed into fourth spot with its fourth win of the season, recording a 49-27 win over Murchison-Toolamba at Rushworth Recreation Reserve, while Nagambie beat Undera by 25 goals, the 56-31 triumph seeing the Lakers safely into third spot.
Avenel is into fifth spot after a thrilling 42-41 win over Tallygaroopna at Avenel Recreation Reserve, the Swans improving to 3-2 for the year with the win.
Stanhope had the bye, but will return to action with a tough fixture against Shepparton East next weekend.
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