Reigning premier Lancaster was edged out by Shepparton East in Saturday’s round two Kyabram District Football League match of the week — both of last year’s grand finalists suffering early season defeats.
Nagambie followed up its demolition of Stanhope in the opening round, beating last year’s runners-up Murchison-Toolamba with another dominant display that has sent a warning to all aspiring premiership contenders as young as the season is.
Shepparton East had its nose in front by five points at the final siren in a dourly fought struggle with the Wombats at Shepparton’s Central Park.
Lancaster coach Tom Davies said it was a game that could have gone either way and Lancaster had its chances in the last quarter to win the game.
But he took nothing away from the winners whom he believes are a better equipped side than last year when they were finalists.
‘‘The have a good midfield and a dangerous forward line, which we were able to contain for most of the game,” Davies said.
Lancaster got out of the blocks early and held a 17-point lead at quarter-time.
But the home side had a scoreboard edge in the second and third term to take a 10-point lead going into the last term. The Wombats kept coming and had their chances to win in a grimly fought last term.
Lancaster had injury concerns during the game with ruckman Ricky Thomson suffering a hamstring strain, which allowed East’s ruckman Tom McCluskey to take control.
Lancaster used skipper Brad Orr to successfully tag East’s potential matchwinner Tyson Sidebottom, restricting him to just one goal for the game.
But one of the real positives for the Wombats out of the game was the debut of defender Lachlan Boscarini from Northcote Park.
He got great support from Noah Sewell and Coby O’Neil. who was switched to defence in the second half.
Davies was also full of praise for the efforts of the younger players in Shannon Fleming, Sewell and Riley Williams, who all held their own in a very combative struggle.
Lancaster hosts Stanhope in another blockbuster this week when star midfielder Cam Simpson should return and goalkicker Jake Mills also a chance to play his first game for the season.
— Girgarre coach Brendan Baumann said his side was outclassed by Stanhope, but had kept at it against the odds.
“Our second half was a lot better and we didn’t stop trying but we are a young group rebuilding,” Baumann said.
Ryan Butler in the midfield was the ’Roos’ best on the day and got good support from Rushworth recruit Layne Baker.
Jorge Maxwell tired hard in defence against his old club and was well supported by Byron Dryden and Harry Browning-Briese, while Josh Patmore was the best of the forwards.
Nic Woods also did well in the ruck to show there are better things to come.
Baumann was also happy with the efforts of young talent Jason Harrison.
It’s not going to get easier this Saturday for the ’Roos, who meet a rebounding Murchison-Toolamba.