Sport
Gallery | Shepparton Swans soar back into finals contention with victory over Mansfield
At long last, the Shepparton Swans were on the right side of a tight Goulburn Valley League clash.
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The 2024 season has provided more heartbreak for the Swans than a soap opera.
Five of the Swans’ losses this season have been by less than a goal, including the first fixture this year between the Swans and Mansfield (three-point margin).
However, despite a second-half Eagles’ surge, the Swans got their revenge and kept finals within reach.
The Swans got off to a rampaging start in their clash against the Eagles on Saturday afternoon, booting 25-8 in the opening term.
The second quarter was free-flowing and high-scoring, with 10 goals kicked between the two sides.
Shepparton Swans remained in control of the contest at the main break, leading 62-33.
The Swans’ dynamic and fluid forward line was a potent threat for the home side on Saturday, with young gun James Auld and trusted goal scorer Steele Simpson booting 11 goals between them for the match.
Swans coach Jedd Wright was particularly impressed with Auld, as the forward made the most of his opportunities in attack.
“I think having (Auld) and Steele Simpson both up forward and being really mobile, it has allowed us to kick to space and let them run onto it a lot more,” Wright said.
“We knew (Auld) was capable; it was more a matter of it clicking for ‘Auldy’, and all of a sudden, he has started marking them and kicking straight and a few things started going his way.
“He has been really close to tearing games apart, so it was great to see him (do it) over the weekend.”
The Swans kicked the first goal of the second half, thanks to Luke Davies, and extended their lead to 35 points, but from there, Mansfield dominated the third term.
After a drop-off in form across the last few rounds due to missing some key players, Mansfield reignited its season in the third term, kicking seven of the next nine goals to cut the lead back to six points at the final break.
Eagles’ forward Billy Hogan (six goals for the match) was the star of the third quarter, kicking five goals to bring his side roaring back into the contest.
Halfway through the final term, Mansfield player-coach Jack Hutchins kicked his fifth goal of the game to bring the Eagles within one point of the Swans.
It seemed Wright’s side was on course for a sixth loss by less than a goal.
However, the Swans were able to find another gear and kicked four consecutive goals to ice the match.
The final score finished 19.6 (120) to 15.5 (95) in the Swans’ favour.
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Shepparton Swans’ Jett Bruton and Mansfield’s Dylan Lowry contest the ruck. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 10
Mansfield’s William Dunstan and Shepparton Swans’ Nathan Rachele battle for the footy. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 10
Shepparton Swans’ Max Clohesy scraps for the pill. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 10
Mansfield’s Nathan Buchanan searches for a teammate inside 50. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 10
Shepparton Swans’ Tyreece Collison hunts after the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 10
Shepparton Swans’ Jett Bruton and Mansfield’s Dylan Lowry fought hard in the ruck all day. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 10
Shepparton Swans’ Liam Rachele ponders what to do next. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 10
Shepparton Swans’ Liam Rachele holds on to a tackle. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 10
Shepparton Swans’ Steele Simpson scans the field for teammates. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 10
Mansfield’s Sam Morrow takes a chest mark. Photo by Megan FisherWright was proud of how his side fought back when the Eagles came out guns blazing in the last quarter.
“We were pretty happy with our first and probably half of our second quarter, then Mansfield really upped the pressure in the back end of the second quarter and that third quarter,” he said.
“In the end, I was really pleased we showed a bit of resilience and we got the game back on our terms in the last 10 minutes and kicked away in the end.
“Mark Kovacevic in the ruck was really dominant all day and I thought him and Max Clohesy were the two best players on the field.
“Steele Simpson was fantastic up forward and probably Zac Alderton would be the main ones (that impressed).”
Finals are certainly still possible for the Swans; however, Wright said his side faces a challenging final few games against Shepparton, Echuca, Mooroopna and Euroa as they search for a finals berth.
“The players certainly know that (finals is still possible),” he said.
“We have a tough run home against some quality teams and we will just focus on Euroa in Euroa this week, which is one of the hardest road trips you will get in the GVL at the moment.”