Unfortunately for Violet Town, which faced reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba, it meant another big defeat, with the Towners on the wrong end of the 3.9 (27) to 17.15 (117) result at Murchison Recreation Reserve.
Heading into the clash off the back of two consecutive defeats, the Towners were looking to change their fortunes around, and were boosted by the inclusions of Will and JD Hayes, as well as Lachlan Smith, with the trio returning to the side having all missed last week.
But the might of Murchison-Toolamba proved too much, as the Hoppers extended the margin at every break, keeping the Towners goalless in the first and last quarters while adding six of their own in the fourth term to extend the margin to the eventual 90 points.
The Hayes brothers were named in the best despite the loss behind best-on-ground John Woodcock, with Will adding one of his side’s three goals, while skipper Nathan Abley, Mitchell Saunders and Koby Ross rounded out the most influential.
Robert Wilson was the only multiple goal scorer for the Towners with two in the loss, which has Violet Town now down in 12th spot on the ladder, while Murchison-Toolamba surges up to third off the back of the big win.
But there was no bigger winner than Nagambie in round seven, with the ladder-leading Lakers making short work of Longwood, earning a mammoth 147-point victory – their fifth win by more than 100 points from six games – to continue what has been a dominant start to the season.
It looked an intriguing clash on paper, with the Redlegs having gone 4-1 through their first five games as they look to take the next step in 2026, while the Lakers’ first month and a half looked reminiscent of the form that has seen them earn so much success in recent times.
In reality, though, it was a bloodbath.
If the Los Angeles Lakers’ high-scoring, flashy play in the NBA earned them the moniker ‘the Lake Show’, then Nagambie can surely adopt the same nickname, as the Lakers booted a whopping 31.11 (197) to Longwood’s 7.8 (50), ensuring they keep their commanding grasp on top spot with a ridiculous percentage of 431.28.
Travelling to Longwood Recreation Reserve, the Lakers made a statement in the opening term by putting an accurate 7.1 (43) on the board, while keeping the Redlegs to 2.1 (13) to lead by five straight kicks at the first break.
It was an ominous beginning, and as it turned out, it would be the visitors’ worst return in a quarter for the contest, as they put their foot on the throat – and kept it there.
A stunning 10-goal quarter from Nagambie in the second term put the result beyond doubt at half time, with the Lakers boasting an incredible 17.2 (104) at the main break, while their defensive end held up their end of the bargain too, restricting the home side to two behinds in the second quarter to lead by 89 points heading into the rooms.
The formidable Lakers attack continued in the third and fourth quarters as well, adding seven goals in each, as well as a handful of behinds, and while Longwood finally found some fluency with five goals in the second half, it was a consolation prize, with the damage well and truly done by then.
Rushworth also found itself among the winners once again with a big 88-point victory over Undera at Undera Recreation Reserve, the 21.14 (140) to 7.10 (52) win just the Tigers’ second of the season following a preliminary final appearance in 2025, while Lancaster made light work of Tallygaroopna in a 20.24 (144) to 2.2 (14) victory.
Avenel has kept in touch with the chasing pack behind Nagambie and Lancaster following a 66-point win over Stanhope, earning the 20.15 (135) to 9.15 (69) victory at Avenel Recreation Reserve, while Girgarre notched a second win of its campaign at Merrigum Recreation Reserve with a 18.13 (121) to 6.5 (41) win over the Bulldogs.
