The Kyabram District Football League returned to its usual scheduling over the weekend, with round four serving up largely comfortable margins of victory for the winning sides.
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Lancaster made another statement against Longwood, Stanhope defeated Girgarre in a local clash, and Merrigum, Rushworth, and Undera all fell to heavy defeats.
RESULTS
Round four
Stanhope 1.4, 7.4, 9.5, 11.9 (75) d Girgarre 2.2, 2.5, 4.13, 5.16 (46)
Lancaster 2.5, 6.9, 17.14, 22.22 (154) d Longwood 1.1, 2.2, 3.2, 3.3 (21)
Violet Town 4.4, 9.8, 13.13, 19.18 (132) d Merrigum 2.2, 5.3, 7.8, 10.11 (71)
Rushworth 0.1, 0.3, 0.7, 6.12 (48) lt Shepparton East 7.3, 11.5, 19.8, 20.10 (130)
Murchison-Toolamba 5.6, 13.8, 16.9, 19.14 (128) d Undera 1.1, 3.1, 5.2, 6.2 (38)
Tallygaroopna 0.0, 2.1, 3.5, 4.5 (29) lt Avenel 2.4, 4.7, 10.11, 16.17 (113)
Stanhope was one of only four sides to play in round three, suffering a triple-figure defeat to Nagambie ahead of a meeting with Girgarre, the Kangaroos among the nine teams that served a bye.
The local clash was expected to be well-fought at Stanhope Recreation Reserve, with both teams having split their opening two matches, and the first quarter followed that script, Girgarre booting two goals to Stanhope’s one to hold a slender four point lead at the first change.
But the Lions, no doubt keen to rectify the manner of their Nagambie defeat, came out stronger in the second term, blowing the Kangaroos away with six majors to none to take a comfortable 7.4 (46) to 2.5 (17) lead into half-time.
That period of the match would ultimately be decisive, as after the main break, the two sides re-engaged in the earlier arm-wrestle for control, both kicking two goals each in an even third quarter.
Girgarre outscored Stanhope 20-13 in the third, as despite booting the same number of majors, the Kangaroos also kicked eight more behinds, entering the fourth quarter having had three more scoring shots than the Lions but still trailing by 22 points.
Player-coach Tyler McNamara was likely scratching his head at Girgarre’s wastefulness in front of goal, with the side only registering one major in the final period from four more scoring shots.
In the end, Stanhope’s accuracy proved far better on the day as it added two more goals in the fourth, the Lions prevailing with a comfortable 29 point margin, 11.9 (75) to 5.16 (46), despite Girgarre generating more scoring shots.
Stanhope’s clinical performance was led by player-coach Matthew Butler’s six majors, with Kangaroos captain Billy Barnes being the only other player who kicked multiple goals, finishing with two to his name.
Neither of the goal-kickers was named in their side’s best players though, as Stanhope’s list included Brett Smith, Lior Smart, Corey Dunn, Jack Donnell, Stuart Trevena, and Tomas Fantasia; Girgarre naming Riley McNamara, Reardon McIvor, Lachlan Werner, Harry Teasdale, Josh Hayes, and Harry Browning-Briese.
Next up, Stanhope has a second tricky away fixture of the season against Shepparton East, while Girgarre is back at home and facing an even tougher challenge, with the dominant Nagambie visiting Girgarre Recreation Reserve.
Lancaster vs Longwood
Lancaster’s meeting with Longwood at Lancaster Recreation Reserve was arguably the most anticipated game of the round, as both sides entered round four with perfect records intact.
The Wombats dismantled Shepparton East in their last outing but needed a quarter to get going against the Redlegs, the two sides playing out an even opening period as Lancaster kicked two majors to Longwood’s one.
Nick Ryan’s side started to find its stride in the second term, booting four goals and again holding the visitors to a solitary effort to take a comfortable 6.9 (45) to 2.2 (14) lead into half-time.
Longwood had knocked off reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba last time out, and would have hoped for a second half response, but it would end up being completely shackled by the Wombats, who produced a scintillating final two quarters to win by a margin that likely sent shock waves around the competition.
In the third, Lancaster piled on 11 majors to Longwood’s one, before kicking five to just one behind in the final period, winning 22.22 (154) to 3.3 (21), with the 133 point margin of victory arguably flattering the visitors, given the Wombats’ inaccuracy.
Lancaster had 10 different goal-kickers on the day, led by five each for Jamie Scapin and Sam Vick, with the former named in the best players alongside Blake McAuliffe, Zac Cerrone, Charlie Mclay, Adam Lovison, and Declan Hallett.
This weekend, the Wombats face Avenel away from home, looking to prolong their winning streak against a Swans side that has made a solid start to 2026.
Violet Town vs Merrigum
Violet Town and Merrigum met in a clash between two struggling sides that had yet to win this season, each faced with the ideal opportunity to get off the mark at Violet Town Recreation Reserve.
An even contest was played out early, the Towners narrowly edging the first quarter with four majors to Merrigum’s two.
The Bulldogs had lost their first two games by a combined margin of 213 points, but were far more competitive on Saturday, as despite conceding five second quarter goals still managed three of their own to be within 30 points at half-time, Merrigum trailing 5.3 (33) to 9.8 (62).
Violet Town tightened its grip in the second half, kicking another 10 majors across the third and fourth quarters to secure a comfortable victory, though Merrigum also doubled its goals tally after the main break to ensure its margin of defeat did not balloon to astronomical levels.
In the end, Jason Verhoeven’s side went down 19.18 (132) to 10.11 (71), losing by 61 points, which is the closest it has been to an opponent since round 11 last year.
The improved display was built off solid three-goal contributions from Shelby Ludlow-Lambrick and Falcon Taurua, the duo also named in the best players with James Ross, Aidan Carroll, Lucas Roberts and Riley Williams.
Next up, Merrigum is back at home against another struggling side in Rushworth, with that clash set to be another meeting between two winless sides.
Rushworth vs Shepparton East
Last week’s bye followed a difficult start to 2026 for winless Rushworth, which is experiencing a drop-off from the highs it reached last year, and the Tigers’ schedule didn’t ease up when finals contender Shepparton East visited Rushworth Recreation Reserve.
The Eagles were clearly keen to put their last outing behind them early on, which was a 71 point loss to Lancaster, and immediately cornered Rushworth by laying on seven first quarter goals, while keeping the hosts to a single behind.
The Tigers were effectively condemned to a third successive defeat to start their season by half-time, Shepparton adding another four majors in the second term and keeping Rushy goalless again to lead 11.5 (71) to 0.3 (3) at the main break.
Although clearly not the same side it was last year, the Tigers would have been disappointed to go a third straight quarter goalless, having just seven behinds heading into the fourth quarter as the visitors kicked another eight goals to run up the margin beyond three figures.
Playing for pride in the final period, Rushworth finally found its scoring touch, and in emphatic fashion, booting six fourth quarter goals, while also keeping the Eagles to just one in reply, Shepparton still winning comfortably 20.10 (130) to 6.12 (48).
The Tigers’ six-goal stand to conclude the match consisted of three majors for Nicolas Collins and two for Kieran Malone, with the former, Josh Francis, Mitch Lee, Tighe Clarke, Ethan Arnold and Jackson McRae listed as best players.
Rushy’s next fixture is the aforementioned meeting with Merrigum this Saturday, a game it will feel it can win for a much-needed confidence boost.
Murchison-Toolamba vs Undera
Without victory from its opening two games, Undera’s tough schedule only became more challenging when it visited reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba at Murchison Recreation Reserve.
A long day at the office was anticipated for the Lions, who felt the full force of Murchison’s capabilities in the first quarter, the Grasshoppers kicking five majors to Undera’s one.
The home side’s best output came in the second term as it booted eight goals, Undera only managing two of its own and facing a 10+ goal deficit by half-time, Murchison leading 13.8 (86) to 3.1 (19).
It was as you were during the second half, though the Hoppers’ scoring rate slowed as they added another six goals across the third and fourth quarters, Undera kicking three more majors and at least avoiding the humiliation of a three-figure margin as Murchison prevailed 19.14 (128) to 6.2 (38).
Alex Hywood was a bright spot in another tough outing for the visitors, kicking three goals, and he was joined by Anthony Miller, Ostinn Bellingham, Sam Billinge, Zach Langlands, and Matthew Perazzola on the best players list.
Next up, Undera’s fixture eases slightly when Tallygaroopna visits Undera Recreation Reserve, the Lions looking to get off the canvas, given they are currently one of only three winless sides in the competition.
The Redlegs also had a difficult outing on Saturday, being outmatched by Avenel in an 84 point loss at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve.
Only three goals separated the two sides at half-time, but the Swans levelled up after the main break, piling on six goals each in the third and fourth quarters to win 16.17 (113) to 4.5 (29).