What can you take away from a loss?
A lot, in the instance of Shepparton United.
On Sunday, the Demons fell to reigning premier Echuca 4.6 (30) to 3.4 (22) in the Goulburn Murray Women’s League opening round at Victoria Park.
However, the eight points of separation said plenty about United’s off-season improvement in coach Grant Searle’s eyes.
“We did extremely well considering we came up against last year’s premiership team,” he said.
“First time around last season they beat us by about 100 points or something, so to go down by eight points, I was extremely happy with the way we played.
“Considering we’ve got a lot of new girls in the team and it was the first hit-out, they’re still getting used to each other’s style of play and getting used to the team in general.”
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Tagged: Shepparton United’s Matilda Henderson tackles her opposite number. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 8
Hot pursuit: Shepparton United’s Lorelai Maskell battles with Shepparton Swans’ Jean-Latise Morgan. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 8
Roost it: Shepparton Swans’ Nakiah Sangster Bamblett boots the ball forward. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 8
In her sights: Shepparton Swans’ Phoebe Hawker runs after the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 8
Turn and burn: Echuca’s Hayley Galea goes on the run. Photo by Alexander DabbImage 6 of 8
Down town: Shepparton United’s Elissa Down finds a target. Photo by Alexander DabbImage 7 of 8
Working in twos: Shepparton United’s Rebecca Monk picks up the ball with a shepherd from Madison Dowell. Photo by Alexander DabbImage 8 of 8
Tagged: Shepparton United's Jorja Ayton attempts to restrain Echuca’s Paige Baksh. Photo by Alexander DabbEchuca skipped to a two-goal lead at quarter-time while holding United scoreless, but Demons recruit Payten Johnston nailed one back for the visitor after the first break.
Johnston chimed in with another in the third term and, though Echuca led by 17 points heading into the last, United was hitting form.
Searle’s side held the Murray Bombers scoreless in the final act and kicked another major to reduce the deficit and, though the Demons were unable to find the extra impetus to get over the line, United’s mentor said the positive signs were there.
He was impressed by Johnston and captain Melissa Foster, also lauding the job done at centre half-back by Emma O’Keeffe on Echuca gun Paige Baksh.
“We’re a very physical side, a very hard-tackling team, whereas Echuca are very well skilled. So I think we were an even match across the board really,” he said.
“As the game went on, certainly in the last quarter, we stuck to our guns.”
Elsewhere, Tatura capped a stellar weekend for the club following the senior men’s and A-grade netball wins the day prior, producing a second-half surge to oust Barooga 3.8 (26) to 1.1 (7).
The Bulldogs broke away after the main break, kicking two goals in the third quarter and another in the last to bank their first points of the fresh campaign.
Last season’s premiership bridesmaid Nathalia debuted in fine fashion, with damaging key forward Abby Favaro slotting five majors in the 28-point triumph over Nagambie.
The round’s other match pitted league entrants Rumbalara and Mansfield against each other, and the Eagles stamped their mark with a resounding 50-point win on home soil.
In the girls’ section, Shepparton United blitzed cross-town rival and 2023 premiership winner Shepparton Swans by 83 points.
A severely understrength Swans struggled going forward and managed a sole behind throughout four quarters of football.
Conversely, the Demons split an even 12.12, with Emily Zampaglione (five goals) and Zara Findlay (four goals) the most prolific in front of the posts.
New challenger Barooga fought courageously during a 4.15 (39) to 1.2 (8) loss to Moama, while Echuca United cashed in with a 21-goal drubbing of Nathalia to close out the opening round.