A first-quarter blitz at Nagambie Recreation Reserve put the visiting Eagles on the back foot in the opening stages, before a blistering second quarter had the Lakers well and truly in control of proceedings, taking a dominant 51-point lead into the main break.
Shepparton managed some resistance in the third and booted four goals, but by then the damage was done, with the Lakers applying the finishing touches on a dominant victory with a four-goal final term.
Lakers coach Tyrone Muir said a four-quarter effort on Saturday proved the difference in securing a critical four points.
“Obviously (it’s) a really good win, it’s probably the first real time we’ve played a good four quarters for the season,” he said.
“We knew the repercussions if we didn’t get the result. Our pressure was really good around the footy. We’ve struggled to get a full-strength side together recently and Saturday was the first time in a while we’ve had a full side.
“Blake Fothergill was back in after getting injured in round two, he’s won our last few best-and-fairests and is really important for us.”
“A couple of our ruckmen are back in as well, which gives us a bit of height.”
A Fothergill masterlass helped the Eagles in the goal-scoring department, with Blake and Nick kicking four apiece.
Muir said a resounding win against top-four opposition proved his side could take it up to the heavyweights with finals just around the corner.
“It’s a huge result for us. It just shows that when we bring the pressure, we’re well in with a chance,” he said.
"We’ve got a big three games to go, it’s a big last three weeks with Avenel next week and then Shepp East again in the last round.“
Fairly lopsided results caught the attention elsewhere in the KDL on Saturday.
Violet Town secured an important 20.17 (137) to 6.10 (46) win over Tallygaroopna to stay in touch with the top four, while fifth-placed Lancaster also snagged an important victory with a dominant 80-point triumph over Undera.
Jack Exell stole headlines in the Towners’ win with a whopping 13-goal effort.
Sam Vick and Zac Cerrone led the way in the Wombats’ victory with five and four goals respectively.
Meanwhile, Dookie United kept its season alive with a much-needed win over Longwood.
Patrick McMullan and Kyle Tapscott booted five apiece in the Thunder’s 21.19 (145) to 5.5 (35) win.
Girgarre was too strong for Rushworth in its 33.21 (210) to 1.4 (10) win.
In Sunday action, Stanhope and Avenel went head-to-head in a ladder-defining clash, with Murchison-Toolamba and Merrigum also duelling it out in the Sunday afternoon timeslot.
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