Shepparton East's Jayden Dhosi kicked three goals in his side’s big win over Girgarre at the weekend.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
There were big wins all round at the weekend in round six of the Kyabram District League football, although the reigning premier was given a scare in the closest result of the round.
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Travelling to Rushworth Recreation Reserve, Murchison-Toolamba went in as heavy favourites against the Tigers given their unbeaten start to 2025, and went about their business as expected, opening up a 19-point lead by quarter-time courtesy of a six-goal-to-three first term.
The margin was extended to 25 points by the long break as the Hoppers again outscored the Tigers in the second term, although the advantage wasn’t insurmountable, which Rushworth proved in a blistering third quarter.
Girgarre's Billy Barnes gets his kick away before being met by a strong Trent Baker tackle.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
In a staggering turnaround, the ‘premiership quarter’ was dominated by the Tigers, rather than the reigning premier, as Rushworth doubled its score by booting 6.3, while restricting the Hoppers to just 1.3 to take a five-point lead heading into the three-quarter time huddle.
Unfortunately for Rushworth, the 2024 premier found a response with the game on the line, managing to hit the scoreboard with three majors to deny the Tigers what would have been a remarkable upset, with the Hoppers eventually clinching a 14.10 (94) to 13.7 (85).
After the close encounters across nearly every fixture last weekend, the stoush between the Hoppers and Tigers proved the only nailbiter this weekend, with the next closest margin between Avenel and Tallygaroopna, with the Swans getting back on track with a 43-point victory.
Girgarre's Ethan Palma-Ludeman looks for an open teammate.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
It took until the second half for the Swans to make sure of things, however, with the Redlegs proving dead-eyes in front of goal in the first half, booting seven straight at half time to remain in the contest, just six points behind Avenel.
But the Swans proved far too strong in the end, with Alex Crnko and Nicholas Goodwin both enjoying bags of five as Avenel corrected its course following last week’s upset loss at the hands of Undera, storming to the 15.15 (105) to 10.2 (62) win.
Shepparton East's Adam Serafini tries to gather a loose ball under pressure from Girgarre's Josh Temple.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Shepparton East continues to hold on to second spot on the ladder for the time being following a 19.9 (123) to 4.9 (33) drubbing of Girgarre at Central Park Recreation Reserve, with skipper Ryan Pfeiffer leading the way, booting three goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Lancaster out the disappointment of last week’s one-point loss behind it with a big 83-point win over Violet Town, with recruit Blake McAuliffe named the Wombats’ best in the 14.21 (105) to 3.4 (22) triumph.
Shepparton East's Zac Groombridge was among the best for the Eagles in the win.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Longwood also secured an 89-point victory, with Jordan Formosa’s troops booting 21.10 (136) to Merrigum’s 8.5 (53), as Liam Edwards booted eight for the Redlegs but had to settle for second behind his coach in the best.
Meanwhile Undera could not replicate the heroics of round five against Nagambie, going down 6.5 (41) to the Lakers’ 22.16 (148) at Nagambie Recreation Reserve.
Girgarre's Joseph Jackson kicked one of the Roo’s four goals in the loss to Shepparton East.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Lakers are making themselves a real presence so far in 2025, with a white-hot second term which saw them slam home eight goals only bettered by a 10-goal fourth quarter, with their scoring woes from last season seemingly solved.
Shepparton East's Mitchell Heggart extends for an overhead mark.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Will Dalton and Tom Barnes, both of whom missed last year through injury, kicked 11 between them at the weekend against the Lions, and are spearheading a Nagambie side that is on a collision course with Murchison-Toolamba in round eight, which is set to be an absolute corker between the challenger and the title holder.
