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merrigumWeekly Times | MERRIGUM has exacted revenge on Nagambie by becoming the first Kyabram District league side to defeat the Lakers this season.

In a rematch of last year’s grand final, the Bulldogs ran out 19-point winners in the top-of-the-table Round 15 encounter, 15.11 (101) to 12.10 (82).

Nagambie, which trailed at the first two breaks, kicked seven goals to two in the third quarter to hold a 16-point advantage at three-quarter time.

But it would pay dearly for not capitalising on the scoreboard early in the last quarter despite dominating possession.

Instead the Bulldogs kicked the first three goals of the term to briefly steal a three-point lead, but the Lakers’ Daniel Haysom, whose kicked four goals in Nagambie’s third quarter resurrection, quickly put his side in front again with its last major for the match.

Merrigum’s Chris Kilmartin all but sealed the deal with his third goal to put the Bulldogs nine points ahead late in the last term.

Haysom finished with six goals, and Merrigum’s Ramadan Yze kicked four.

Merrigum playing coach Christian Barnett praised the efforts of the backline, as well as Josh Pell, who kicked two goals, and Linc Wellington, who had a superb return after a month off with an injury.

“The rivalry’s growing, after we hadn’t lost to them for three years until the grand final last year and then we lost to them Round 2,” Barnett said.

“Today they had a bit of pressure, obviously being undefeated, and we’re a little bit depleted ... and our ruckman Josh Stammers pulled out this morning, but we’ve got great depth and we backed our players to get the job done.”

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