Lancaster’s win over Girgarre headlined the results from round one of the Kyabram District Netball League season. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
The opening round of the 2026 Kyabram District Netball League delivered a host of interesting results, with winning sides largely cruising to their victories.
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Last year’s runner-up Girgarre dropped its home opener to a seemingly rejuvenated Lancaster, Rushworth picked up where it left off with victory over Stanhope, while there was mixed fortunes for Merrigum and Undera, the Bulldogs winning big and the Lions comfortably beaten.
RESULTS
Round one
Girgarre 28 lost to Lancaster 54
Stanhope 22 lost to Rushworth 49
Merrigum 60 d Murchison-Toolamba 18
Longwood 43 d Undera 22
Shepparton East 38 d Tallygaroopna 31
Nagambie 54 d Violet Town 24
Girgarre, having lost last year’s decider to Shepparton East, would have been favoured to win at home to a Lancaster side that has experienced highs and lows over the past two seasons.
The opposite would be true, the Wombats prevailing 54-28 in arguably the most notable result of the first weekend, Lancaster now potentially using this win to launch itself back into contention in 2026.
Grace Jackson-Kightly throws the overhead pass.
New coaches Raz Hilton and Jemma Hall may be set to rejuvenate a side that only made the grand final two years ago, while the Kangaroos will have to pick themselves back up off the canvas after an early and unexpected setback.
Girgarre will be favoured again away to Violet Town in round two, while Lancaster meets premiers Shepparton East in a test to see whether its opening success was a flash in the pan or the start of a much improved season.
Jemma Hall catches the ball.
Stanhope v Rushworth
Entering 2026 an entirely different beast after making a preliminary final last year, Rushworth met a Stanhope side keen to break its finals drought.
Tigers coach Sheree Starling believes her side can progress even further this time around, and she would have buoyed to see Rushy pick up right where it left off in 2025 by comfortably winning 49-22.
Bella Heggart looks to find a teammate with the one-handed pass.
The loss was an early blow for Stanhope, with Rushworth being a side it would ideally hope to displace in the finals mix, though the state of play league-wide will likely take a few rounds to reveal itself.
The Lions will have to sit on the loss for another week, serving the round two bye, while Rushworth hosts Nagambie in a meeting between two possible premiership contenders.
Molly Carver keeps her eyes on the ball.
Merrigum v Murchison-Toolamba
Without finals netball for three seasons, Merrigum entered round one laser-focused on a return, and it showed against a Murchison-Toolamba side not expected to ruffle too many feathers this year.
Blynda Tranter’s side prevailed 60-18 in a one-sided contest, recording the highest score of round one, while allowing the least goals at the other end.
Lauren Pyke assesses her options.
Given those statistics, the Bulldogs finished the first weekend top of the ladder, which is largely academic at this point, but could give the side a major confidence boost moving forward.
Next up, Merrigum faces a plucky Tallygaroopna outfit away from home, the Redlegs likely to present a more difficult challenge.
Bella Heggart looks to contest Renee Ashmore’s shot.
Longwood v Undera
Undera’s 2026 ambitions are centred around development after only four wins last year, though it had an opportunity to put early runs on the board against a Longwood side that went winless in 2025.
Longwood broke its losing streak in the meeting at Longwood Recreation Reserve, prevailing in a comfortable 43-22 result, one that may be sounding alarm bells within the Undera camp.
Libby Pangrazio guards Karla Ryan as she searches for an open teammate.
The Lions won both meetings against Longwood last year, and coach Amy Reid will hope this defeat was not a sign her side has taken a step backwards over the off-season.
Undera will take on Avenel at home in round two in a chance to set the record straight, the Swans being somewhat of an unknown quantity having served the round one bye.
Elsewhere across the opening weekend, premier Shepparton East was pushed all the way in a 38-31 win over Tallygaroopna, while perennial finalist Nagambie impressed in a 54-24 victory over Violet Town.
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