Nagambie was in red-hot form entering the fixture following consecutive wins by three-figure margins, while Stanhope, after serving a round two bye, had started the season on the right foot with a comfortable victory over Rushworth.
From the off, the Lions were swarmed, with Nagambie piling on eight first-quarter goals while only conceding two, Stanhope entering the first change trailing by 44 points.
The match as a contest was effectively over by half-time, Nagambie posting another eight majors in the second term to Stanhope’s three, the Lakers leading 16.13 (109) to 5.3 (33) at the main break.
Despite the commanding lead, the hosts didn’t ease off too much, kicking another 12 majors in the second half and reaching a triple-figure lead by three-quarter time, while Stanhope doubled its goal tally to reach 10 for the game, ultimately going down 10.7 (67) to 28.18 (186).
While Nagambie has now won each of its opening three matches by colossal margins, leading to a current percentage of just under 500, Stanhope, a side no doubt looking to return to the finals this year, could take a confidence hit from such a lop-sided defeat.
A first loss of the 2026 season leaves the Lions sitting in ninth on the ladder heading into round four this weekend.
The Game
Scores
Nagambie: 8.9, 16.13, 21.16, 28.18 (186)
Stanhope: 2.1, 5.3, 6.4, 10.7 (67)
Goals
Nagambie: Tom Barnes 6, Kobi Maynard 4, Will Dalton 3, Jared Keenan 3, Lucas McKinnon 3, Liam Hockley 2, Luke Poustie 2, Ryan Coll, Trent Laverie, Mackenna Maltman, Blake McKinnon, Tom Preece
Stanhope: Amir Meyerowitz 6, Jack Butler, Matthew Butler, Rory James Patterson, Unattributed 1
Best
Nagambie: Tom Preece, Tom Barnes, Ryan Coll, Kobi Maynard, Charlie Kelly, Lucas Hall
Stanhope: Amir Meyerowitz, Rory James Patterson, Nathan O’Reilly, Lior Smart, Brett Smith, Bol Wol
In round three’s only other game, reigning premiers Murchison-Toolamba bounced back from a home defeat to Longwood by pulling off a stunning final quarter turnaround against Avenel at VICSTALL Park.
The Swans were the better side for most of the match, leading at each of the first three changes, though Murchsion finally made the most of its superior number of scoring shots in the last term, keeping the hosts scoreless while booting five majors to run out 17.17 (119) to 14.5 (89) winners.
After round three saw only four sides in action, the league will return to its usual scheduling this weekend, with each match on Saturday and beginning at 2.15pm.
The pick of the local fixtures will see Stanhope attempt to rectify its heavy defeat at home to a Girgarre side that tasted victory last time out, the action taking place at Stanhope Recreation Reserve.
At Lancaster Recreation Reserve, there will be an early season meeting between two finals contenders when the Wombats host Longwood.
Shepparton East is also a part of that conversation, despite a heavy defeat to Lancaster in its last start, the Eagles looking to rectify that result against Rushworth at Rushworth Recreation Reserve, who also require a response to an underwhelming start to 2026.
Just above the Tigers on the ladder are Undera, which is also winless, and faces another tough outing against Murchison at Murchison Recreation Reserve.
This weekend should see one team notch its first win of the season when Merrigum clashes with Violet Town, the meeting between the league’s two bottom sides taking place at Violet Town Recreation Reserve.
Finally, Avenel will look to redeem its aforementioned fourth quarter collapse to Murchison when it faces Tallygaroopna at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve.
