Lancaster closes in on first as Undera holds on

Lancaster became the only undefeated side left in the competition after it cruised to an 86-point win at Rushworth.

The match as a contest was over almost immediately, as the Wombats came flying out of the blocks, with 4.9 in the first quarter, while holding the Tigers scoreless.

Lancaster only improved in the second term, which was its best period of the day, as Nick Ryan’s side added another nine majors to Rushy’s two to take a commanding 13.10 (88) to 2.1 (13) lead into half-time.

Rushworth had a strong win over Tallygaroopna last time out, but were given a reality check by the premiership contender Lancaster, the Tigers only adding one more major in the third quarter as they were down by 91 heading into the fourth.

The hosts finished strong with four goals in the final period, which it won by five points, but it was redundant in the overall picture as Lancaster cruised to its fifth win by 80 or more points this season.

Zac Cerrone starred for the Wombats, kicking nine of the side’s 20 majors, with Jamie Scapin (four) and Morrie Serra (three) also chipping in.

Lancaster is still second on the ladder despite Nagambie slumping to its first loss, as the first-placed Lakers hold a stronger percentage, but the Wombats are now level on points with a game in hand.

Lancaster faces Stanhope in round 11, playing back at home against the Lions.

As for Rushworth, Daniel Brock’s performance — where he kicked three goals — was a positive in an afternoon that was a setback in confidence for the Tigers.

Mark Wheatley’s side still moved up a place on the ladder into eighth, with Tallygaroopna’s percentage dropping below Rushworth’s after its heavy loss at Stanhope.

Girgarre vs Undera

Girgarre and Undera’s clash at Girgarre Recreation Reserve went down to the wire, the visiting Lions doing just enough to hold off a late surge from the Kangaroos.

Undera was the better side throughout the first half, particularly in the first quarter, where it kicked six goals to Girgarre’s two.

Although the hosts improved and narrowly won the second term, the Lions still held a solid 8.12 (60) to 5.6 (36) lead at half-time.

The second half would see the match flip on its head as Girgarre attempted to pull off a big turnaround.

The Kangaroos won the third quarter by kicking one more goal than Undera, but were still down 21 points heading into the fourth.

The Lions were inaccurate in front of goal throughout the match, and it ended up almost costing them as Girgarre stormed home with 2.3 to Undera’s two behinds in the final quarter, but the hosts fell just short of the comeback.

The 11.18 (84) to 11.10 (76) win for the Lions wasn’t enough to put them above the Kanagroos on the ladder, the two sides sitting 11th and 10th, respectively, as Girgarre still holds a better percentage.

Alex Hywood’s five majors was key for Undera, which will need a more well-rounded performance next up against fourth-placed Shepparton East, while Girgarre has a tough trip away to Murchison-Toolamba.

Stanhope vs Tallygaroopna

Stanhope erased a heavy 100-point loss to Murchison-Toolamba last time out from its memory by thrashing Tallygaroopna by 111 points at Stanhope Recreation Reserve.

After a tight opening quarter that saw the two sides only separated by eight points at the first change, the Lions broke the game open in the second term with six goals to zero to suddenly lead 10.10 (70) to 3.3 (21) at half-time.

With Stanhope’s percentage taking a significant hit in the aforementioned Murchison loss, it had the opportunity to recover it in the second half, which it did in devastating fashion.

The Lions piled on another 11 goals across the third and fourth quarters, while Tally only kicked 1.5 in reply, culminating in Stanhope recording by far its biggest margin of victory this season, winning 21.17 (143) to 4.8 (32).

The one-two punch of Matthew Butler and Amir Meyerowitz was again devastating for Stanhope, the pair kicking 13 goals between them, while Butler, Tyler Norman, Brett Smith, Jack Donnell, Bol Wol, and Lior Smart were the Lions’ best.

Stanhope is still seventh on the ladder but now level on points with sixth-placed Avenel.

Merrigum vs Longwood

Merrigum put in its best performance of the season in a 34-point loss to Longwood at Merrigum Recreation Reserve.

The Bulldogs started marginally better against the finals' contender, leading at the first change by four points.

Longwood struck back with five majors to Merrigum’s two straight in the second quarter, the hosts still in the contest at half-time as they only trailed 4.3 (27) to 6.6 (42).

Jason Verhoeven’s side kicked two straight again in the third term, which the Redlegs narrowly won with 2.5 themselves, the game still in reach for Merrigum entering the fourth as Longwood led by 20.

But a late comeback would prove a step too far for the Bulldogs, as the visitors finished strongly with five goals to three, coming away as a 13.14 (92) to 9.4 (58) winner.

Former Richmond star Kayne Pettifer, playing for Merrigum in a one-off appearance, contributed three goals, while James Ross, Brayden Hall, Shaun Doolan, Brady Wileman, Falcon Taurua, and Aidan Carroll were all named in the Bulldogs’ best.

Merrigum remains winless and bottom of the ladder ahead of its next match against Avenel.

Elsewhere, Nagambie is no longer undefeated after it lost at home to reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba, the Grasshoppers overturning an 18-point quarter-time deficit to win 13.8 (86) to 10.10 (70).

The round’s only other game saw Shepparton East power past Avenel, the Eagles’ devastating opening quarter — which saw them race out to a 43-point quarter-time lead — key in a 16.19 (115) to 12.8 (80) win.