In a battle of the Lions, Stanhope emerged victorious on home turf against Undera in round 13 to keep its season alive.
Sitting perilously in eighth on the ladder, Stanhope will need to continue winning games to leapfrog Murchison-Toolamba and Tallygaroopna into the finals positions.
Round 13 was a good start.
In a relatively tight contest, Stanhope was able to overcome struggling Undera by seven goals to get back into the winners’ column after three straight losses.
The final score was 43-36.
Looking to keep the good times rolling, Stanhope will host fellow finals contender Merrigum in a game that could decide both sides’ seasons.
Rushworth v Longwood
Rushworth had no trouble dispatching winless Longwood, dominating the Redlegs 54-22 at Longwood Recreation Reserve.
Montana Mylon, Ashlyn Materne and Lily Waasdorp were all in good form as the Tigers advanced to second on the league table, passing a Nagambie side beaten by leader Shepparton East.
With a three-win gulf between the top four and the rest of the table, Rushworth (10-2) will finish near the top, but will now look to hold off Nagambie, which it leads by just 0.99 goal percentage, to secure second and the finals double chance that comes with it.
One side will earn the edge over the other this weekend, as the Tigers host the Lakers in a blockbuster round 14 clash.
Girgarre v Tallygaroopna
Girgarre all but confirmed its top-four status with victory over a potential finals opponent in Tallygaroopna.
Had the Redlegs prevailed, they would have drawn within a game of the Roos, but the home win at Girgarre Recreation Reserve secured the top four a three-game break over a midtable group that includes Tallygaroopna, Avenel, Murchison-Toolamba and Stanhope.
It wasn’t an easy victory for the Roos, but Girgarre proved itself a step above on the day, picking up the win 45-33.
The Roos (9-3) will be at home again on Saturday as they take on Lancaster (4-8).
Lancaster v Murchison-Toolamba
The Grasshoppers made a leap up the table at Lancaster’s expense, getting by the Wombats 39-25 at Lancaster Recreation Reserve.
Murchison-Toolamba advanced several positions to seventh, now joining a crowded mid-table fight for the last two finals spots.
Lancaster, which was level on points with the Hoppers heading into the clash and led them on percentage, is now stuck in ninth, two games back from the finals places.
The Wombats are off to Girgarre in the next round, the top-four Roos welcoming them to Girgarre Recreation Reserve.
