But having dominated all season to finish on top of the ladder, it was the Lakers that came out on top, prevailing 12.9 (81) to 10.6 (66) after overturning a three-quarter time deficit to head back to the final day of the season for the first time since 2023.
Rarely challenged throughout the season, Nagambie found itself in an unfamiliar position at three-quarter time on Saturday, trailing by three points in front of an expectant home crowd at Nagambie Recreation Reserve, just the second time all season the Lakers have faced a deficit at the final change.
The first half had followed the traditional finals script, with a hot and contested opening term seeing the Lakers lead 2.4 (16) to 1.1 (7) despite missing some chances, while the Wombats briefly tasted the lead after a stunning four unanswered goals in the second term to go ahead by nine points themselves, though the Lakers answered back with a flurry of three majors to take a 6.6 (42) to 5.4 (34) advantage into the rooms.
After going so close last season, however, Lancaster wasn’t about to let the chance at qualifying for the 2026 decider at the first time of asking slip, and used the premiership quarter on Saturday to make another move.
While Nagambie opened the second half scoring with a behind to push the lead back to an equal game-high nine points, the Wombats booted consecutive majors via Ricky Thomson and Blake McAuliffe to again edge ahead, up 46 to 43 midway through the third quarter.
Nagambie though snatched back the lead as Kobi Maynard slotted the Lakers’ opening goal of the term with 20 minutes gone, however, it would be the Wombats that led at the final change, as Morrie Serra kicked his first of the afternoon on the cusp of three-quarter time to hand Lancaster a narrow 8.4 (52) to 7.7 (49) advantage as the coaches delivered their final address to the huddles.
It would be the Lakers that struck first, Will Dalton reclaiming the lead for the home side by two points, but it was a short-lived advantage, as skipper Charlie McLay snared his second major of the afternoon to once again gift Lancaster the lead, and all signs pointed to a nail-biting finish between the two best sides all season.
There would only be one more lead change for the game, though, as Tom Barnes – the league’s leading goalkicker and Nagambie’s spearhead – put the Lakers back in front by two points with his first goal of the contest after being well-contained all day, and from there, the Lakers were never headed.
Tayte Lewis gave Nagambie breathing room by booting the next goal, while Maynard put an exclamation mark on his afternoon, slotting his fifth amid a best on ground performance to put his side 15 points to the good with 10 minutes remaining.
The cherry on top came less than a minute later, as Jonathan Moore made it a four-kick contest, all but sealing a Lakers win, and while Declan Hallett pinched one back for Lancaster late, Nagambie had already wrapped it up.
Maynard’s best afield showing was well supported by Tom Preece and Blake Fothergill, both earning nods among the best, while Will Dalton was also influential with three majors.
The eventual 15-point victory means Nagambie become the first side to punch its ticket to the KDL senior football decider, winning through just hours after the reserves and under-18s had done the same on a massive weekend for the club.
Lancaster remains in the hunt to secure the other spot, and will do battle against reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba in the preliminary final this coming Saturday, after the Hoppers beat Avenel on Sunday afternoon to keep their season alive.
Despite trailing by four points at half time, the Hoppers stormed home to claim an emphatic 16.17 (113) to 11.6 (72) victory at Murchison Recreation Reserve, setting up a huge showdown against the Wombats at Undera Recreation Reserve for the final spot in the decider.
