KDFL | Wombats and Tigers dominate, Undera edge low-scoring battle

In round 17, Lancaster and Rushworth cruised past Avenel and Merrigum, respectively, Undera edged a low-scoring affair against Tallygaroopna, and Stanhope and Girgarre suffered heavy defeats.

Lancaster vs Avenel

Lancaster secured its spot in the competition’s top two after a dominant 82-point win over Avenel at Lancaster Recreation Reserve.

The Wombats raced out to a 38-9 lead at quarter-time after a six goals to one first term.

The second period was more even, which Lancaster still edged with three majors to two, slightly boosting its advantage by half-time to 34 points, 9.3 (57) to 3.5 (23).

Nick Ryan’s team replicated its start to the match in the third quarter with another six goals to one period, which secured the four points as Lancaster led by 71 entering the final term.

The visitors had their best attacking quarter in the fourth with three goals.

Although the Wombats took their foot off the gas defensively, they continued to find majors with ease, adding another five in the final period to run out as comfortable 20.13 (133) to 7.9 (51) winners.

Zac Cerrone continued his sensational form in front of goal with another seven goals, now having kicked 19 across the Wombats’ past three matches.

Cerrone also made the side’s best players alongside Sam Vick, Jordan O'Neill, Thomas Davies, Luke Davies and Coby O’Neill.

Lancaster and Nagambie are both 14-1, sitting second and first, respectively, and will face off in the second week of the finals' series in a grand final qualifier.

The two sides are now playing for the honour of the minor premiership in their final game, with the Wombats travelling to Undera, while the Lakers face Shepparton East.

Rushworth vs Merrigum

Rushworth eased past Merrigum by 103 points at Rushworth Recreation Reserve, the Tigers looking to finish their season on a high, while the Bulldogs remain winless.

The hosts took control of the match after quarter-time, piling on 16 goals to one after the first interval.

Merrigum had made a decent start, kicking 3.3 in the first to Rushworth’s 3.5.

But Mark Wheatley’s side began to pull away in the second with five goals to one, leading 8.11 (59) to 4.4 (28) at half-time, before a strong third saw it outscore the Bulldogs 35-2.

Merrigum couldn’t resist the Tiger’s avalanche, which continued in the fourth quarter with another six majors.

Rushworth cruised to a dominant 19.22 (136) to 4.9 (33) triumph, where only its inaccuracy prevented a greater margin.

Tigers Daniel Brock and Tommy Stevens had excellent outings with four majors each, also making the side’s best players with Ethan Arnold, Liam Adlington, Mittch Lee and Nicolas Collins.

Merrigum’s list included Shaun Doolan, Koady Murdoch, Brady Wileman, Samuel Macadam, Ayrton Peirce and Ryan Smith.

The Bulldogs have one last chance to secure a first win of 2026 against Stanhope in round 18, while Rushworth could finish seventh if it defeats Longwood by a comfortable margin.

Tallygaroopna vs Undera

Undera and Tallygaroopna played out an encounter at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve with scarce goalmouth action, which the Lions edged by 10 points.

A strong first half performance — particularly on the defensive end — was key for the visitors.

Undera led 15-1 at quarter-time and then kept the Redlegs goalless again in the second period while adding one major, Glenn Hart’s side up 3.5 (23) to 0.3 (3) at the main break.

Each side kicked exactly one goal in the third, with the Lions maintaining their solid 20-point lead entering the final quarter.

But they would have to hold off the fast-finishing hosts to secure the four points.

Tallygaroopna kicked two majors in the fourth, and although Undera was kept goalless with just three behinds, it was enough to earn a 4.8 (32) to 3.4 (22) win.

The Lions named Riley Moon, Keelan Mitchell, Easton Carlile, Rory Carlile, Deakin Easterbrook, and Rueben Stranger as their best on the day as they earned a third win from their past five matches.

Hart’s side hosts Lancaster in round 18, looking to sign off on 2026 with another win, which if achieved would see it finish 2026 with double the number of victories it managed last year.

Stanhope vs Shepparton East

Stanhope suffered a heavy home loss to Shepparton East, the Lions missing an opportunity to seal their place in the finals.

Matt Butler’s side was right in the match at half-time, only trailing 5.4 (34) to 5.7 (37) before the visitors gradually pulled away across the third and fourth quarters.

Shepparton East booted six goals to Stanhope’s one in the third to open up a 34-point lead entering the final term, and continued the one-way traffic to close the match.

The Lions were outscored 26-9 in the fourth, significantly dropping off throughout a second half that saw them concede 10 majors, while only contributing two themselves.

Earlier, Stanhope started better, taking a 21-15 lead into quarter-time and staying in the fight in the second term, but it was unable to keep up with the Eagles in what ended as a 7.9 (51) to 15.12 (102) defeat.

The performances of Amir Meyerowitz and Brett Smith were positives in the loss, as each kicked three goals.

Smith also made Stanhope’s best players alongside Lior Smart, Craig Emmett, Tyler Norman, Oliver Silk and Corey Dunn.

A win for the sixth-placed Lions would have guaranteed their spot in the finals, though they still hold the upper hand over seventh-placed Longwood heading into round 18.

As the Redlegs fell to a shock 8.8 (56) to 8.11 (59) loss at lowly Violet Town in action elsewhere, Stanhope is still a game clear of them on the ladder, and also faces winless Merrigum in its last match.

Nagambie vs Girgarre

Girgarre’s challenging season came to a close at Nagambie Recreation Reserve, with the Kangaroos being on the receiving end of a 208-point loss to the league leader.

The visitors were kept goalless during two consecutive quarters in the contest — the second and third — having found a major early on.

Girgarre was already up against it, down 32-6 at quarter-time before the hosts flexed their muscles in devastating fashion in the second, keeping the Roos scoreless while kicking 11.6 to take a 16.8 (104) to 1.0 (6) lead into half-time.

Nagambie added another seven majors to its tally in the third, and although Girgarre finally broke its goalless drought in the fourth, the Lakers avalanche continued at the other end.

Tyler McNamara’s side conceded another 11 goals in the final term as the Lakers recorded their second-highest total of the season in a 34.18 (222) to 2.2 (14) win.

The player-coach was included in Girgarre’s best in the one-sided defeat, with Jorge Maxwell, Joseph Jackson, Reardon McIvor, Riley McNamara, and Connor Moore also on the list.

The fixture was the Roos’ last in 2026 as they serve the bye in round 18, the side finishing up with a 3-13 record.