The line-up for this year’s Kyabram District Netball League finals series has been all but confirmed with two rounds to play.
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In round 16, Merrigum secured its post-season berth with a win over Violet Town, while Rushworth is likely to sneak into the top six despite a loss at Shepparton East.
Elsewhere, Lancaster eased to victory over Longwood, Girgarre edged past Stanhope and Undera’s winless season continued against Murchison-Toolamba.
The round
Girgarre 45 d Stanhope 34
Merrigum 41 d Violet Town 24
Longwood 24 lt Lancaster 55
Shepparton East 54 d Rushworth 38
Undera 27 lt Murchison-Toolamba 46
Avenel 48 lt Tallygaroopna 60
Nagambie bye
Girgarre vs Stanhope
Girgarre and Stanhope entered their clash at Girgarre Recreation Reserve playing for pride as both sides were out of the finals race.
The Kangaroos won by 19 goals the last time the two sides met in round four, and although the Lions fared better on this occasion, they still fell short in a 45-34 defeat.
The win for Girgarre is its second in three matches, the side struggling for consistency as it has failed to win consecutive games since rounds 10 and 11.
Kim Hanratty’s side has a 6-9 record and sits eighth, a far cry from its 2025 campaign that saw it make the grand final.
Girgarre is up against it taking on third-placed Nagambie next, its last fixture in 2026, while Stanhope will face Shepparton East.
The Lions are 11th with a 3-11 record, also dropping off slightly this year after finishing 6-10 in 2025.
Merrigum vs Violet Town
Merrigum went into its clash with Violet Town knowing a win would secure its spot in the post-season, and the Bulldogs were in a confident mood, having won five of their previous six matches.
In contrast, the Towners were on a seven-game losing streak, and Merrigum extended that to eight with a 41-24 triumph at Merrigum Recreation Reserve.
Blynda Tranter’s side is fourth on the ladder with a 9-4-1 record, ahead of fifth-placed Tallygaroopna on percentage, with its seeding in the post-season now a priority.
Merrigum is up against sixth-placed Rushworth next, the result of that fixture being key to the make-up of the top six.
Longwood vs Lancaster
Lancaster entered an away clash against Longwood with the opportunity to move into second on the ladder, as Nagambie served the round 16 bye.
The Wombats capitalised with a dominant 55-24 victory. They have now won 11 of their past 12 games.
Raz Hilton and Jemma Hall’s side has only lost twice in 2026, both times being against unbeaten league leader Shepparton East, a side it will likely meet in the post-season.
Lancaster should win its final two matches against Avenel and Undera to maintain second, which would grant it a rest for the first week of the finals.
Shepparton East vs Rushworth
Rushworth’s inconsistent second half of the season continued against Shepparton East at Central Park Recreation Reserve, although the Tigers were just the Eagles’ latest victim in a dominant regular season.
Sheree Starling’s side fell 54-38, but results elsewhere mean it should still secure a finals spot this year.
Rushworth is sixth, eight points clear of seventh-placed Avenel, and just one win for the Tigers from their remaining two matches will be enough to rule the Swans out of finals contention.
In-form Merrigum will be a challenge for Rushy in round 17, but should it fail to defeat the Bulldogs, a favourable clash against second-bottom Longwood awaits in round 18.
Undera vs Murchison-Toolamba
Undera lost its last meeting with Murchison-Toolamba by 26 goals, but the Lions welcomed a Grasshoppers outfit to Undera Recreation Reserve that had lost five of its previous six matches.
Despite being a more beatable opponent, Undera was unable to snap its winless run, losing 46-27.
The Lions have two more opportunities to record a first win, starting with a trip to Tallygaroopna in round 17 before they finish at home to Lancaster.
Elsewhere in round 16, Avenel’s finals hopes are hanging by a thread after it lost 60-48 to Tallygaroopna.