Second-placed Nagambie turned the much anticipated clash with third-positioned Stanhope into a percentage builder to the tune of 98 points while Tallygaroopna had to dig to shake off a persistent Undera in the last quarter to preserve its unbeaten record this season.
In the other games Merrigum was too good for Violet Town, Lancaster outclassed Rushworth, Murchison-Toolamba romped home against Ardmona, Dookie United prevailed against Shepparton East and Avenel smashed Longwood.
■Stanhope was overwhelmed by an impressive Nagambie in a one-sided affair on the Lakers home ground.
The Lakers made an early statement with an opening stanza of 6.7 to 0.1 and held the Lions goalless in the first half while racing to an 80 point lead.
Stanhope simply didn’t have the firepower to match the contributions of Blake and Nathan Fothergill, Zac Winter-Irving, Mick Shiels, Darren Carrol and Steve Barber, who booted four goals.
While the Lakers had 10 goalkickers on the day, Stanhope’s forwards were virtually non existant with just three players hitting the scoreboard.
Tom Hepburn continued his fine season for Stanhope and along with Sam Woodward, Brayden Kearns, who kicked two goals, Jamie Spencer and Brad O’Reilly tried hard to lift their teammates but without much support.
■There looked to be a major upset looming at the main break in the Tally-Undera clash with the visitors holding a four goal break.
But like good sides can — and do — Tally proved up to the challenge, slotting eight second half goals to one to inflict Undera’s third successive loss.
Brodie Sanders, Austin Tricarico, Zac Brett and Hugh Anderson led the Tally fightback with support from Ben Wellington and Eamon Reeves.
Undera enjoyed their big first half on the efforts of the consistent Rhys McKenzie, Zac Brain and Jack Harjo while Tom Durward, Shannon Hockey and Kane Herbert were also up and about early for the visitors.
■Lancaster took control from the start against an improving Rushworth to set up a 138 point win.
Veteran star Steve Thomson inspired the Wombats with arguably his best game for the season while Zac and Tanner Cerrone continued their fine seasons.
Billy Ryan provided a target up forward with a seven goal haul while Mick Orr and Nic Ryan also found the sherrin regularly for the winners.
Rushworth had goers in Peter Paulino, Tualau Vave, Jordan Hageman and Isiah Johnson but a lack of a dominant forward was obvious in the Tigers’ defeat.
■Merrigum had to work harder than expected to get the better of struggler Violet Town but was able to secure a 40 point win in the finish to move to third on the ladder.
Prized Kyabram pick-up Locky Dillon dominated for the Bulldogs in a best afield display while Jack Sinclair with three goals, Jake and Zed Parkinson and evergreen Geoff Connally were all prominent players in the win along with ruckman Jake Ross.
For The Towners coach Sean Horsburgh led from the front and got plenty of support from Matt McCarthy and Jayden Guppy.
■Murchison-Toolamba kept itself in the thick of the finals fight with a 163 point demolition of Ardmona.
Former coach James Milne with nine goals led a host of multiple goalkickers for the combine and cashed on the efforts of Luke Cecchin, Tom Kerrins, Tom McCormick and Adam McGibbon in particular.
Caine Atkinson was again prominent for the Cats with most support from David Gilby, Che Hood and Jordan Lowe.
■Dookie United didn’t get it all its own way against Shepparton East, but secured a 39 point win at the finish.
East was only 12 points down at half-time but managed only two second half goals to the combine’s six.
For United, Connor Hayes and Luke O’Connor were prominent while Darby Innes-Irons with support from Nic Geddes, Josh Dohnt and Jeromy Aynsley were best for the East.
■Avenel smashed Longwood, restricting the visitors to just two behinds in a 233 point win. Nick Goodman with seven goals and Kasey Duncan and Lachy Drummond with five majors each kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Swans, reaping the dominance of Garrett Davies, Jack Myers and Mick Morgan in particular.
Lachy Cox, Jason Kozma and Rob Mullen battled it out to the bitter end for Longwood.
■This Saturday’s round sees some crucial games.
Traditional rivals Merrigum and Lancaster lock horns at Merrigum, Undera tackle Avenel in a bid to avoid a fourth successive defeat, Stanhope will try to bounce back against the all-conquering Tally while Murchison-Toolamba and Girgarre clash in a crucial encounter to keep near finals pace.
