Defeats of Lancaster and Murchison-Toolamba in Saturday’s fifth round of Kyabram District Football League has left Avenel and Shepparton East the only unbeaten sides in the competition.
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The Swans continued on their winning ways, crushing Girgarre by 83 points in a lop- sided clash at Girgarre.
In their first big test for the season Lancaster came up short against Shepparton East while Murchison-Toolamba was outplayed by a resurgent Violet Town.
In Sunday’s clash Stanhope stormed home with a six-goal-to-one last term to beat Dookie United by 25 points.
Shepparton East succeeded in shutting down Lancaster’s forward line, restricting it to just three goals for the game in notching up a 40 point-win.
Tim Stapp was held to just one goal for the game and the visitors led at every break.
The experienced Phil Carroll, with assistance from Nick McAuliffe, Jack Mills and Brad Orr, tried hard to inspire their teammates and some support from Charlie Lowe and Nick Ryan. But East, led by wise heads in Tom McCluskey, Dwain Vidler and Adem Barolli, had all the answers.
Lancaster has the bye this Saturday in the split round but then has to tackle Avenel at Avenel the following week.
Unbeaten Avenel kept Girgarre goalless for the first half and to two goals for the game in an impressive win on the Roos’ home ground.
Girgarre had no answer to the Swans’ Jake Sutherland, who kicked six goals, and Braydon Avola (three majors) who finished off the work of Mitch Tobin, Chayse Thomson and Dan Clarke.
Merrigum shook Undera off after half time to get back on the winning list in the game at Undera.
The Bulldogs were only 14 points up at the main break but kicked nine second-half goals to the home team’s four to run out winners by 50 points.
Brothers Jacob and Ryan Martin were among the Bulldogs’ best again and Jack Sinclair, Harley Constable, Rhys Bucktin and Jake Dryden also had good games for the winners.
Reliable Rhys McKenzie and Nathan Frizzell were good for Undera along with Keelan Mitchell and Zac Brian.
Merrigum’s next game is against Girgarre on Saturday week.
Rushworth put up a commendable showing against Nagambie, despite a 51-point loss.
Tom Stevens, Kyle Zass and Jacob West and Tom McKay tried hard to keep the Tigers in the game with support from footy journeyman Pat Rattray and Fred McLean.
But the Lakers had key playmakers in Nathan Fothergill, Trent Laverie, Tyrone Muir, Will Dalton and David Comi, who ensured the Lakers got their first win for the season.
Josh Mellington and Jack Exell kicked 16 goals between them to help inflict Murchison-Toolamba’s first loss for the season.
Mellington kicked 10 goals and Exell six out of the Towners’ 19 goals for the game.
Oliver Ford, Fintan Brazil and Tim Ross were also prominent in the Towners’ win.
Adam McGibbon continued his good season for the combine who were also well-served by ex-coach James Milne, Like Cecchin, David Murray and Mick Coad.
Murchison-Toolamba should return to the winning list this Saturday against Undera while Violet Town faces a fired-up Stanhope at Stanhope.
Tallygaroopna had a big win over Longwood to notch its second win for the season.
Adam Brophy with five goals, Kian Wise and Dylan Butcher were standouts for Tally while Geordie McMurtrie, Reece Dimech and Brandon Weatherson gave their best for Longwood.
In Sunday’s clash Stanhope’s storming finish buried Dookie United, who held a seven-point lead going into the last stanza.
Onballers in ruckman Daniel Flynn and Ryan Semmel were standouts for Stanhope and they received plenty of support from Matt Gill, Chris Gleeson, Jye Adamson and Jonathan Pearson.
Josh Kezerie, Andrew O’Connor, Kyle Tapscott and Dylan Webster helped keep United in the game for three quarters.
Stanhope hosts the improving Violet Town in another test this Saturday.