The race for finals positions in the Kyabram District League heated up in round 16, with two sides being eliminated from contention.

Stanhope strengthened its case with a huge win over Girgarre, while Rushworth’s aspirations were ended at Shepparton East.

Elsewhere, Lancaster trounced Longwood and Merrigum and Undera suffered heavy home losses to Violet Town and Murchison-Toolamba, respectively.

Girgarre v Stanhope

Stanhope is in a strong position to claim one of the final two post-season slots after it cruised to a 75-point win over Girgarre at Girgarre Recreation Reserve.

The Lions made a strong start and never looked back.

They raced out to a 29-1 quarter-time lead and, while the two sides were evenly matched in the second term, each kicking three goals, the early buffer Stanhope created meant it held a comfortable 7.7 (49) to 3.5 (23) lead at half-time.

Girgarre only lost by 29 when the sides met back in round four, but it was totally outmatched on this occasion.

The Kangaroos only fell further behind in the third quarter, which Stanhope won 41-12.

The hosts could only muster one major in the fourth as the Lions gave themselves a solid percentage boost to accompany a critical win, with five final quarter goals culminating in a dominant 18.13 (121) to 6.10 (46) scoreline.

Stanhope player-coach Matt Butler led all goal-kickers on the day with six, while the Lions named Nathan O’Reilly, Stuart Trevena, Jack Young, Craig Emmett, Brett Smith, and Tyler Norman in their best.

Girgarre’s list included Josh Hayes, Billie Gahan, Connor Moore, Reardon McIvor, Ethan Palma-Ludeman, and Ben Turpin.

Girgarre (3-12) is 11th on the ladder, closing its season in round 17 against Nagambie, as it will serve a bye in round 18.

Meanwhile, Stanhope (8-6) currently occupies the last finals spot in sixth, four points clear of seventh-placed Longwood.

The Lions host fourth-placed Shepparton East next, a side they defeated in round five.

A win over the Eagles would almost certainly secure Stanhope’s place in the post-season, especially as it closes its regular season against winless Merrigum.

Longwood v Lancaster

Lancaster moved level on points with Nagambie at the top of the ladder thanks to a devastating 89-point win over Longwood at Longwood Recreation Reserve.

The Wombats took the game by the scruff of the neck immediately, their best period arguably being the first quarter as Lancaster kicked 7.7 while holding Longwood scoreless.

The hosts showed a response in the second term, which they won 32-25, but Lancaster still sat comfortable up 11.8 (74) to 5.2 (32) at half-time.

The Wombats didn’t rest on their laurels in the second half, boosting their lead to 56 points at three-quarter time following a five goals to three third term.

Nick Ryan’s team saved its best attacking period for the fourth quarter, where it laid on another eight goals to Longwood’s three, which saw the final margin balloon as Lancaster won 24.16 (160) to 11.5 (71).

Wombat Zac Cerrone kicked six goals in the victory and was named in Lancaster’s best alongside Noah Sewell, Billy Mclay, Blake McAuliffe, Sam Vick, and James Lovison.

Lancaster is still second on the ladder, but now has the same 13-1 record as league leader Nagambie, only trailing the Lakers on percentage.

Nagambie had the bye this week, and returns to action at home to Girgarre in round 17, while the Wombats will also play host, welcoming Avenel to Lancaster Recreation Reserve.

Both sides are expected to win their matches, with the minor premiership likely being decided in round 18.

Merrigum v Violet Town

Merrigum’s hopes of securing a win in 2026 were dealt a major blow in a 51-point loss to Violet Town, the side directly above it on the ladder.

The Bulldogs’ inaccuracy in front of goal was a key reason behind the defeat, and it began to rear its ugly head from the start at Merrigum Recreation Reserve.

Merrigum kicked 2.5 in the first quarter, failing to capitalise on its opportunities.

In contrast, the Towners booted 7.2, their clinical finishing culminating in a 44-17 quarter-time lead.

The hosts’ accuracy only worsened in the second term as they registered seven behinds for the period, while the visitors ran the margin up to 50 at half-time with four more majors, Violet Town leading 11.8 (74) to 2.12 (24).

Merrigum finally started to execute with greater precision in the third quarter, but its stronger output came too late, and it couldn’t contain Violet Town at the other end.

The Bulldogs kicked four goals in the period, but still lost the quarter 32-30 by conceding five.

Jason Verhoeven’s side did win the final term 19-18 — although again should have put more points on the board, kicking 2.7 — but it was redundant in the overall picture, Merrigum losing 8.25 (73) to 19.10 (124).

The Bulldogs’ best on the day were Ryan Smith, Falcon Taurua, Shaun Doolan, Riley Williams, Aidan Carroll, and Reeve Verhoeven, with Taurua, Verhoeven, and Liam Mason all being multiple goal-kickers.

Merrigum (0-14) will likely finish bottom of the ladder, but does have two more opportunities to secure a first win, starting against eighth-placed Rushworth in round 17.

Undera v Murchison-Toolamba

Undera made a solid start against reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba at Undera Recreation Reserve, but couldn’t keep up with the Grasshoppers in a 62-point defeat.

The hosts only trailed by 10 points at quarter-time after kicking 2.4 to Murchison’s 4.2, though the visitors took full control from that point onwards.

Murchison laid on seven goals in the second term to the Lions’ two, taking a commanding 11.3 (69) to 4.5 (29) lead into half-time.

Undera put in a solid second half performance, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the significant deficit.

Murchison outscored the Lions 32-14 in the third quarter before an even fourth saw each side boot four majors each, Undera going down 10.7 (67) to 20.9 (129).

Riley Moon was arguably the standout Lion in the defeat, kicking five goals, and he joined Matthew Perazzola, Rueben Stranger, Beau Jackson, Ethan Hart, and Marley Edwards on Undera’s best players list.

Undera (4-10) is out of finals contention in 10th place on the ladder, though has already won more matches than it did in 2025.

The Lions have been a big improver during the second half of the season, having won three of their last six matches, and they have a realistic chance of notching four points against ninth-placed Tallygaroopna next up.

Shepparton East v Rushworth

There will be no repeat of Rushworth’s stunning 2025 finals run this year, the Tigers being eliminated from post-season contention via a heavy 88-point loss to Shepparton East at Central Park Recreation Reserve.

Rushworth were totally outmatched by the in-form Eagles from the first bounce, already trailing 51-1 at quarter-time.

The Tigers finally found some scoring touch in the second term with two majors, but three more for the Eagles saw them extend their advantage to 55 at half-time, leading 11.5 (71) to 2.4 (16).

The visitors’ predicament only worsened after the main break, as Shepparton gave itself a big percentage boost.

The Eagles kicked five goals in the third quarter to Rushy’s one, and despite holding the hosts to just 2.1 in the fourth, the Tigers again only managed a single major to lose all four quarters on the day.

Rushworth named Nicolas Collins, Ryan Raglus, Daniel Brock, Jeremy Lambden, Jackson McRae, and Tighe Clarke as its best players in the 4.7 (31) to 18.11 (119) loss.

The Tigers (5-9) sit eighth on the ladder and will now play for pride across the final two rounds, starting with a favourable home meeting against Merrigum in round 17.

Round 16’s only other game saw Avenel all but secure its place in the finals with a 20.19 (139) to 5.4 (34) thrashing of Tallygaroopna at Avenel Recreation Reserve.

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Friday, 8th July 2033

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