It is the half-way mark in the Kyabram District League and Nagambie is the team everyone is chasing.
The reigning premier remains unbeaten and two games clear of the chasing pack headed up by last year’s runner-up Merrigum.
But there are plenty of other teams laying claims to be a contender for the flag.
They are Avenel and Lancaster.
Throw in Violet Town and don’t discount Stanhope, Undera and Murchison if they can qualify for the finals.
UNDERA v STANHOPE
Undera will be fresh having had the bye last week.
Stanhope’s best is as good as it gets, but when the Lions are poor they are poor.
That is no more evident than the past fortnight for the Lions.
They were sensational against Lancaster and got absolutely smashed by Merrigum.
Undera will regain David Gillespie and Carl Bruinier. Both are important inclusions for a game that it must win.
Other key players will be Daniel Breen, Luke Durling and Jon Valentine down in the forward line.
Thomas Hepburn, Craig Emmett, Brenton Gray, Tim Somerville, Alec Young and Brayden Keck were the shining lights in what was a disappointing day for the Lions.
LANCASTER v AVENEL
When Lancaster rolled Merrigum, many were saying that it was the biggest challenger to Nagambie’s crown.
How things can change in a fortnight.
Back to back losses and a string of injuries to key players have clearly tested the depth of the Wombats.
They added Justin Murphy and Craig Whelan to the playing roster, with the latter to play his first game in eighteen months this week.
Zachary Cerrone, Tyson DiPetta, Austin Bizzotto, Nicholas Bertoli and David Rigney were the Wombat four quarter contributors while the challenge will be to restrict the high-scoring Swans.
They have kicked 101 goals in the past three weeks, but Cameron Gillett will be wary his Swans won’t have it all their own way against the Wombats.
Ashley Neville, Michael Morgan, Scott Tyers, Lachlan Drummond, Paul Arandt and Ryan Lambert were the shining lights for the Swans.
What would have worried Gillett was the team’s first and third quarters.
They kicked 20 goals in two quarters against Girgarre, but the Kangas’ did jump them to lead at quarter time.
MERRIGUM v VIOLET TOWN
Violet Town has emerged as a genuine contender to not only play finals but to have any impact in September.
Sean Horsburgh would have been delighted for his boys last week as they claimed a big scalp.
Up until last week, the Towners’ hadn’t beaten a team above them on the ladder.
They get another test today when they travel to Merrigum.
After copping a hiding to arch rival Lancaster, the Doggies have bounced back strongly to move into the top two.
The return of Bryce Wellington has given them another option up forward and straightened them up.
Nathan Reid, Robert Knowles, Lincoln Wellington, Rohan Hearn, John Forbes and Kyle Fitzsimmons were the stars in the win against Stanhope.
While for Violet Town, Leigh Lugg, Greg Dyer, Bo Harrison, Alex Duff, Samuel Poole (three goals) and Lochlan Morrison led from the front against the Wombats.
OTHER
Ardmona will have a task on its hands to combat the forward line of Murchison; Girgarre will fancy its chances of keeping Longwood winless and Nagambie will be chasing a 12 straight win, dating back to last year’s preliminary final when on the road to Rushworth.
THE BEST OF THE REST FROM ROUND 10
1. Ryan Jones – six goals in Girgarre’s loss.
2. Andrew Ralph – five goals in Ardmona’s win while Thomas Durward shows his class in best on ground effort for the Cats over Longwood.
3. Brent Chapman kicks 10 for Murchison in big win over Tigers.
4. Daniel Haysom stars with seven goals in Nagambie’s win.
My tips: Nagambie, Girgarre, Murchison, Merrigum, Avenel and Stanhope.
Last Modified on 22/06/2015 13:48