A number of challengers are pushing their case in the opening rounds of the Kyabram District League A grade netball competition, but the reigning premier remains the team to beat following round two.

Shepparton East travelled to Lancaster Recreation Reserve to take on the Wombats on Saturday, with the grudge match shaping as a brilliant test for both sides early in the season.

Having recruited well in the off-season, adding the likes of Raz Hilton and Jemma Hall as co-coaches, alongside Ali Hall, Molly Carver and Ava Pell from Kyabram, Lancaster delivered a 54-28 beating of 2025 runner-up Girgarre in round one, and looked to have rediscovered some of the form it enjoyed during the 2024 season.

But the Eagles handed the Wombats a reality check on Saturday, reaffirming their own status as the number one side in the A grade competition by storming to a 38-23 victory away from home to continue the unbeaten start to the year.

The Eagles now sit inside the top two as the only other undefeated side alongside Rushworth, with the Tigers also continuing on from a breakout 2025 campaign to rule the roost through two rounds this season.

A preliminary finalist last season, Rushworth once again looks like a contender in 2026, having doled out a 47-32 beating to Nagambie at Rushworth Recreation Reserve on Saturday, with the Tigers’ early season form seeing them comfortably atop the ladder with a percentage of 177.78 following the victory.

Elsewhere, Merrigum and Tallygaroopna both look to be competitive outfits this season, too, and apparently evenly matched, as they were unable to be split at 35 apiece in their clash at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve.

The Bulldogs occupy third with one win and one draw from their two games, while the Redlegs slump to 10th with one loss and one draw.

Violet Town notched its first win of the new campaign with a 41-32 victory over Girgarre at Violet Town Recreation Reserve, leaving the 2025 runner-up winless through the opening two rounds, while Murchison-Toolamba ensured Longwood would not make it two wins in a row following their drought breaking victory last week, prevailing 32-23.

In the final game of the round, Avenel got its season off to a hot start with a 42-28 victory over Undera at Undera Recreation Reserve.

There will be just two contests in round three, with Nagambie set to host Stanhope at Nagambie Recreation Reserve and Avenel to welcome Murchison-Toolamba at Avenel Recreation Reserve, while the nine remaining sides will enjoy an early season bye.

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Monday, 7th January 2030

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