Passing in the lane: Zoe Hayes has her offside opponent hamstrung as she sets her sights on a goaling option during Lancaster’s four goal win on Saturday.
Merrigum claimed another big scalp in the weekend’s second round of Kyabram District League, disposing of Nagambie by stunning 12 goals.
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Coming off an upset win over Stanhope in the opening round the previous week the Bulldogs brushed the Lakers aside before a large Sunday crowed at Merrigum.
The Bulldogs established their superiority early and by halftime had a built a 33-point lead, which they expanded on in the second half.
They had 10 individual goalkickers led by Josh Smith and recruit Rhys Bucktin with three majors each, who kept the visitors defence under constant pressure for most of the game.
Ruckman Jake Ross dominated the airwaves for the Bulldogs while other star recruits in Ryan Marin and Darcy Collins were prime movers in the win.
The consistent Jack Sinclair, Rhys Shannon and Jacob Chessels also chimed in with telling games to bring off the impressive win.
For Nagambie Blake and Nathan Fothergill battled hard along with Mark Nolan and new coach Tyrone Muir. They had support from Mark Wilson and David Comi, but it was all a lost cause as Merrigum had all the answers.
No doubt a lot of sides with finals and premiership aspirations will note Nagambie pushed top flag fancy Avenel in the opening round, so will now have even more respect for the Bulldogs.
After the league’s general bye for Easter Merrigum travels to Dookie and then hosts Violet Town, so will be fancied to get through the first month of the season unscathed.
∎ Stanhope’s expected successful start to the season met another roadblock on Saturday in Murchison-Toolamba.
After a one-kick loss to Merrigum in the opening round the previous week, the Lions were overrun in the last term at Murchison.
After leading by eight points at halftime, Stanhope went into the final term four points down.
But the combine rallied to kick 4.2 to 2.3 in the last stanza to grab a 15 points win.
Star recruit Ryan Semel, who booted three goals, was again among Stanhope’s best.
Alex O’Reilly, Stuart Trevena and Josh Dickinson also stood up for the losers and received support from Craig Emmett and another recruit, Josh Harris.
Shepparton East recruit James Lloyd kicked five vital goals for the home side while Aidan Lloyd, Jay Hexter, Tim Miles, Adam McGibbon James Milne and Luke Cecchin also showed out.
∎ Lancaster followed up its opening-round win over Girgarre with another impressive performance, belting Rushworth by a 176 points.
In step: Bec Squires releases this pass as Lancaster scores its second successive A grade netball win of the season, beating Girgarre last week and Rushworth on Saturday.
An eight-goal first term by the Wombats set the tone for the remainder of the game in which Tim Strapp booted 10 goals and coach Tom Davies, Zaid Besim and Jack Donnell each snared four majors.
Luke Davies, Charlie McLay, Sam Spedding, Jack Donnell and Brad Orr were also very prominent for the winners.
New Tigers coach Damian Wust, Josh Newton and Tom Stevens tried hard for Rushworth with support from Matt Gilmour and Kyal Zass, but the Tigers were simply outclassed.
Double figures: Tim Strapp kicked 10 of the 29 Lancaster goals on Saturday as it continued a great start to the season. The Wombats had 10 goalkickers on Saturday, with Tom Davies, Jack Donnell and Idi Besim all kicking four goals.
∎ Girgarre bounced back from its first-round loss to Lancaster with a decisive win over Tallygaroopna at Tally.
New coach Damian Cupido booted seven goals and Ryan Butler five in the 102-point demolition in which the Roos ruled for the four quarters.
Apart from Cupido and Butler Girgarre had inspirational players in Ash Hughes, Jarrod Kellock and Rex Taylor while Talbot Varcoe stood out at times.
∎ Shepparton East again signalled it would be a big improver this season with a comfortable win over Violet Town.
Undera didn’t get its own way against Longwood, but still had a handsome winning margin and Avenel was too good for Dookie United.
Shepparton East restricted Towners’ goalkicking machine Josh Mellington to just two goals in its 65-point win, led by experienced trio in Tom Campbell, Tom McCluskey and Dwain Vidler.
Picture perfect: Steve George sends the Wombats into attack during the team’s one-sided result against Rushworth, at Lancaster, on Saturday.
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