With the Towners having the bye during round 10 of the KDL senior football competition, they will enter the clash against Rushworth this Saturday with fresh legs as they look to stop a run of five straight losses, and will do so against a vulnerable Tigers outfit that is yet to produce the sort of form that carried it to a preliminary final last season.
While Violet Town had the chance to regroup on Saturday, Rushworth had to face the might of Lancaster for its round 10 clash, and will be battered and bruised following the outing, too, which ended in a 7.8 (50) to 20.16 (136) defeat at Ironbark Stadium.
It was a significant result in terms of the wider picture for the rest of the league, too, as it ensures the Wombats will enter round 11 this Saturday as the only undefeated side remaining in 2026 after two league heavyweights went toe-to-toe at the weekend in a match-up that should feature at some stage come September.
Reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba, having dropped two games early this season, reminded everyone just how potent it can be with a statement performance, handing Nagambie its first loss of the year, and on the road no less.
Travelling to Nagambie Recreation Reserve, the Hoppers claimed a 13.8 (86) to 10.10 (70) victory over the Lakers, removing any doubt over their ability to chase a third straight flag this year.
Elsewhere, Merrigum Football Netball Club welcomed home one of its favourite sons on Saturday, as former Richmond AFL player Kayne Pettifer returned to Merrigum Recreation Reserve to help take on Longwood in the round 10 Kyabram District League senior football clash.
But the Redlegs spoiled the former Tiger’s homecoming, claiming a 13.14 (92) to 9.4 (54) victory on the road to notch win number six and move a game clear of their nearest challengers below and safely cement themselves inside the top six.
On a day that saw Pettifer, who played 113 games for Richmond at the highest level, return to his home club alongside good mate and AFL legend Matthew Richardson, who was the guest speaker at the sportsman’s lunch, Merrigum also celebrated the club’s premiership sides of 1986, a momentous year in which the Bulldogs completed the senior and reserves double.
With such a big occasion to play for, the Bulldogs, who entered the clash winless, looked more than up for the fight early against a Redlegs side looking to make a deep September run, and backed by the firepower of Pettifer’s boot, entered the quarter-time huddle ahead 2.3 (15) to 1.5 (11).
Having made it to the first break with an advantage for the first time all season, the Bulldogs looked to kick on and, while they relinquished the lead by the main break following a two-goal-to-five second term, the 27-42 deficit ensured they were well and truly in with a shot come the second half.
Longwood continued to press in the third term, though, and, while the visitor peppered the goal face to record seven scoring shots, it was unable to take full advantage, kicking 2.5 while the Bulldogs showed plenty of grit, with their two scoring shots being majors as they continued to contend, going into the final break down 39-59 and making life uncomfortable for the Redlegs.
It was a brave defence from Merrigum, but eventually the dam wall could no longer withstand the onslaught, as Longwood finally broke through in the final term.
Five goals to three pushed the margin out beyond five goals to seal the 34-point victory, although what looks to be a comfortable margin belies the fight the Bulldogs brought, with the home side always lurking within striking distance.
Around the grounds, Shepparton East notched a tidy 16.19 (115) to 12.8 (80) victory over Avenel, Stanhope trounced Tallygaroopna 21.17 (143) to 4.8 (32), while Undera prevailed in a thriller over Girgarre, hanging on for an 11.18 (84) to 11.10 (76) victory despite kicking only two behinds in the final term.
