This Deakin Reserve derby in round 13 of the Goulburn Valley League went largely the way most everyone would have expected, but there was nothing to suggest this in the early going on Saturday.
Shepparton United, he ‘away’ side, put up more than its share of a fight during a shockingly drama-laden first half that saw the valiant Demons claw their way to multiple different slight leads.
Not that United’s tall stocks could make much of an impact rucking against Ash Holland — few have in 2024 — but the on-ball brigade was more than holding its own in the early going.
In fact, United’s minor contested victories added up to a handy win on the day, taking the contested possession count 123-120 against a side most could only dream of outworking at the coalface.
There were indeed ‘green shoots’ out of the afternoon’s work, even if the Bears eventually did shake themselves free of the fight and overwhelm their foes as presumed to ultimately run out 15.18 (108) to 8.9 (57) winners.
The one-win United side led in a number of vital categories at the first change, but Shepparton proceeded to rapidly take hold with a second term that produced a 15-7 inside 50 tally, 32 marks to 17 and the main course of five goals to two.
Now with a touch of breathing room coming out of the sheds, Shepparton would go about its typical business in all aspects other than on the scoreboard, where a wayward 2.8 undermined the overall dominance.
An utterly relentless half-hour saw the premiership bolters savage their opposition in the tackle count, winning 19-6 despite their possession advantage and an even more lopsided inside 50 stat than the previous term.
While there was a generally similar feel about the final quarter, the key difference was reward around the goals, tightening up to post 4.3 and set up a sizeable closing margin.
Coach Ted Lindon was happy with the run and carry that got his side the ascendancy after not controlling the grunt work.
“Any time you play United, it’s a really contested game,” Lindon said.
“They probably jumped us at the start and credit to them, they started well.
“I feel like they won the inside game and we won the outside game; our ability to get the ball to the outside and use it was potentially the difference in the end.
“Having 33 shots on goal and having seven or eight games of 100-plus points now is pleasing, but we’ve got a massive one this weekend.
“I don’t think Rochester has lost since we played them last, and that’ll be a big task away from home.”
You’d never guess which trio stood out above all comers on the day for the winners — Holland, Luke Smith and Adam De Cicco averaged 183 ranking points between them.
That said, they had some worthy adversaries, with Joel Serra battling hard courtesy of 28 touches (16 contested), seven clearances, while Kaedyn Napier moved to 29 goals for the season with an equal-game-high four on the day in his 50th run out for United.
“There was no doubt those boys had a profound influence on the game for us,” Lindon said.
“They’re only getting better as the year is going on.
“At times, we were a bit sporadic with our overall effort and intent but it was good to be able to switch it on in the second quarter.
“From there, we got it on our terms the rest of the game.”
The Tigers and Bears collide in a gigantic affair next Saturday out west, while United seeks to restore some pride in an important afternoon for the club promoting road safety against fellow one-win side Benalla.
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