In a win that sees them level with Shepparton East and Tallygaroopna atop the KDL ladder after five rounds, the Lakers looked every bit a premiership contender in the 36-goal triumph over the Tigers.
Making the win all the more impressive was the absence of coach Katie Sullivan, who travelled back to home club Kangaroo Flat in the Bendigo league for a special tribute to her late mother.
Leaving stalwarts Sharni Lloyd and Alicia White in charge for the week, Sullivan said she was proud of how her side went about its business.
“I had my two most experienced players out there coaching and it worked really well with Sharni being an attacker and Alicia being a defender,” Sullivan said.
“From all reports our younger players really stepped up, which was pleasing, and we defended the court really well all day.”
Nagambie kept the Tigers to just 27 goals while putting 63 of its own on the board, and Sullivan said her side’s ability to be versatile and adapt to game situations had been particularly pleasing.
“One of the things that has been really good this year is just how versatile our team is. Bree D’Andrea had a fantastic game stepping into my spot at wing attack, which was nice,” she said.
“We are looking to just take it week by week at the moment, but the thing for us, we are just having so much fun out there and really forming a powerful bond that will hopefully carry us through the season.”
The Lakers will face the daunting task of an in-form Dookie United on its home court next week before enjoying their first bye in a fortnight’s time.
Elsewhere, Violet Town escaped with a thrilling 40-39 win over Murchison-Toolamba to jump up to fourth spot on the ladder.
Down for the majority of the match, the home side inched ahead in the last term, only for the Grasshoppers to lay down a final attack.
The Towners withstood the late charge from the visitors to hang on by the skin of their teeth.
“It was unreal, it was so intense,” Violet Town co-coach Abbie Ellis said.
“The adrenaline was pumping, the crowd was yelling and all of our girls lifted to get over the line.
“We trailed for most of the match and were down by a goal at three-quarter time. We got in front by five goals but Murch came back and luckily we held on.”
Girgarre clinched its first win of the season.
The Kangaroos managed to pull off a stellar 49-45 triumph over Avenel.
Shepparton East breezed past Lancaster 58-9, while Tallygaroopna recorded a 65-21 win over Longwood to remain undefeated and on top of the table.