The Kyabram District Football League served up a host of fascinating results in round two, as Lancaster underlined its premiership credentials against Shepparton East and Girgarre notched a first win over Violet Town, while there were heavy defeats for Undera, Merrigum and Rushworth.

Lancaster and Shepparton East faced off in an early season battle between two premiership contenders at Lancaster Recreation Reserve, both sides entering the match off the back of round one victories.

The Wombats took control of the game early, kicking three majors to the Eagles’ one to take a 20-point lead into the first change.

The visitors fared better in the second term by kicking three goals, although they couldn’t slow down Nick Ryan’s side at the other end, Lancaster adding another four majors to lead 7.11 (53) to 4.4 (28) at half-time.

After the main break, the game shifted dramatically as the hosts stamped their authority, holding Shepparton to just two behinds in the third quarter while kicking another four goals.

Lancaster had the four points secured entering the final term, but it didn’t stop it going for a percentage boost, saving its best until last with six goals in the fourth quarter to win 17.20 (122) to 7.9 (51).

Zac Cerrone contributed six majors in the big win, with him, Thomas Davies, Ryan Hatch, Coby O’Neill, Shannon Fleming and Riley O'Neill all named in the Wombats’ best players on the day.

Lancaster is one of many sides with a bye in round three. Only the Wombats, Nagambie and Longwood have won each of their opening two games in 2026.

Girgarre vs Violet Town

Girgarre lost heavily to Lancaster in round one, but it had a perfect opportunity to bounce back against a Violet Town outfit that was battered at Nagambie.

The Kangaroos made an excellent start at Violet Town Recreation Reserve, flying out of the traps with seven first-quarter goals to the hosts’ three to take a 27-point lead into quarter-time.

The two sides matched each other in the second term with three majors apiece, meaning Girgarre still sat comfortably at the main break, leading 10.4 (64) to 6.2 (38).

Similarly to the first quarter, the floodgates opened at each end in the third, with Girgarre replicating its earlier effort with another seven-goal period. However, the Towners also had their best output of the day with five majors.

Girgarre’s first two quarters ended up being the main difference, as it was marginally outscored by Violet Town in the second half, the home side adding another four goals in the fourth while keeping the Kangaroos goalless.

Threatened by a late surge, Girgarre did enough to get the job done, winning 17.14 (116) to 15.5 (95).

Captain Billy Barnes led the way for the visitors with five majors. He was joined by Josh Temple, Reardon McIvor, Steven Phillips, Riley McNamara and Joseph Jackson on the best players list.

Girgarre now has a week off before gearing up for a local clash against Stanhope in round four, the Kangaroos being one of four sides to split their opening two matches.

Undera vs Avenel

Undera faced an Avenel side that was untested in round one having served the bye, while the Lions were looking for a response after being comfortably beaten at Longwood.

Unfortunately for the home crowd at Undera Recreation Reserve, the visiting Swans took immediate control in the first term, kicking six goals to Undera’s two.

Both sides produced the same goals output in the second quarter, as Avenel had more than doubled the Lions’ scoring shots at the main break, leading 12.10 (82) to 4.6 (30).

The scoring at either end slowed down dramatically to begin the second half, Undera registering just a single behind in the third term, while the Swans gave their lead a small boost with another two majors.

The host came away from its final two quarters with only 1.3 to its name while the visitors added another four goals in the fourth, with only inaccuracy preventing a triple-figure margin, Avenel prevailing 18.19 (127) to 5.9 (39).

Kade Bellingham was responsible for two of Undera’s five majors on the day, while Riley Moon, Matthew Perazzola, Anthony Miller, Kane Laidley, Jack Doolan and Hank Fennell were named the Lions’ best.

Undera’s winless start leaves it sitting 10th on the ladder, the side perhaps welcoming an opportunity to regroup with a bye this weekend.

Merrigum vs Tallygaroopna

In round two, Merrigum faced an arguably weaker side in Tallygaroopna, with the opportunity to build on a strong end to its round one defeat against Murchison-Toolamba.

The Bulldogs were competitive in the first quarter, kicking one major, but they were undone by five goals the other way as Tallygaroopna’s accuracy gave it a 22-point quarter-time lead.

Merrigum was able to prevent the margin from ballooning too high by half-time, adding another goal but also conceding another three as the Redlegs led 8.2 (50) to 2.2 (14) at the main break.

In a reverse of round one, Jason Verhoeven’s side this time finished the game far worse than it started as, although Merrigum kicked two second-half majors, it allowed 12 in reply.

Tallygaroopna booted five goals in the third quarter before finishing with its strongest quarter with seven in the fourth, the Redlegs very efficient in front of goal to win by a whopping margin, 20.8 (128) to 4.4 (28).

Each Merrigum goal was kicked by a different player, while Shelby Ludlow-Lambrick, Aidan Carroll, Lucas Roberts, James Ross, Samuel Macadam and Riley Williams were named as the Bulldogs’ best.

Merrigum has a week off in round three before facing Violet Town, an opponent it should no doubt believe it can perform much better against, in round four.

Rushworth vs Nagambie

Rushworth, keen to ensure its 2025 finals run was not a flash in the pan, needed to respond against Nagambie after a defeat to Stanhope, but the Tigers faced a Lakers outfit that posted the largest margin of victory in round one.

The two sides’ confidence levels were illustrated in their first quarter displays, as Nagambie piled on five goals while keeping Rushworth scoreless to lead by 35 points at the first change.

No respite was provided for Rushy in the second term, the visiting Lakers continuing their eye-catching start by adding another four majors while only conceding a solitary behind, Nagambie all but securing victory by half-time, leading 9.9 (63) to 0.1 (1).

The Tigers were able to notch their first goal in the third quarter as Nagambie seemed to ease up, still booting another two majors to marginally increase its lead heading into the fourth.

Rushworth had its best defensive quarter in the third term but then followed it with its worst in the final period, as Nagambie re-tightened the screws in devastating fashion, kicking seven goals to one to run up the final margin beyond triple figures, the Lakers winning 18.15 (123) to 2.6 (18).

Daniel Brock and Matthew Ludbrook kicked Rushy’s two goals, while Ludbrook, Jeremy Lambden, Ryan Raglus, Ethan Arnold, Isaac Griffin and Josh Francis were named the Tigers’ best.

Mark Wheatley and his team may be welcoming a round three bye this weekend, as Rushworth perhaps has some soul-searching to do as it navigates a winless start to the new season, currently sitting 11th on the ladder.

In round two’s only other game, Longwood made a huge statement by defeating Murchison-Toolamba away from home, inflicting upon the reigning premier its first loss since round 13 last year.

The two sides were evenly matched for most of the game before Longwood pulled away in the third term, only to hold off a strong fourth quarter from Murchison-Toolamba to win by a goal, 12.8 (80) to 11.8 (74).

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Friday, 18th January 2030

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