The Bears are looking ominous heading into finals.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
The Bears are back from mid-season hibernation and have returned from their den with a ferocious hunger that should propel them into the premiership contender conversation.
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No result has further confirmed Shepparton’s return to form than its gritty result over Echuca in round 16 of Goulburn Valley League, with the 19-point victory marking a six-game winning streak.
Shepparton’s record stood squared at five wins and five losses a month and a half ago, but it appears its mid-season slump is well and truly behind it as its greatest test yet arrived on Saturday.
Although entering the game without a loss since round nine, the Bears were yet to beat a side above them other than crosstown rivals Shepparton Swans in round 11.
Cooper Barber sends one through the middle.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
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Kane Morris and Ashley Holland contest the centre bounce.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
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Riley Smith sends it into the middle from the wing.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
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Mitchell Brett runs hard during his 200th game.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
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Sam Reid completes a slick handball.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
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Mitch Wales clears it in traffic.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The Bears started round 16’s encounter on top, grinding out an 11-point advantage at quarter-time with strong input from youngsters Jake Watts and Ned Byrne.
The Murray Bombers found free-flowing attack in the second term though, but they were matched with a response from Shepparton.
It was a term of 10 scoring shots to five, with Echuca shortly holding the advantage, but the Bears’ flawless accuracy and two late goals had them retain their quarter-time lead, albeit now by a point.
Shepparton’s Luke Smith and Liam Broom clawed away in the forward line to produce more spark for the Bears in the third term, but the Murray Bombers remained in the hunt.
Late in the quarter, the Bears attacked the scoreboard with a peppering of shots, but scored five behinds, leaving the door ajar for Echuca as the margin grew ever-so-slightly to seven at the final change of ends.
A behind and goal from the Murray Bombers levelled the scores at 76-apiece early in the final quarter, but it would be Echuca’s last major for the day.
The Bears notched three final-term goals to pull ahead and secure a 19-point victory in a gutsy away result, 14.13 (97) to 11.12 (78).
Shepparton now sits a game clear in fifth and two premiership points off fourth-placed Mansfield, albeit the Eagles are yet to play their game in the split round fixture.
The loss for Echuca means the Murray Bombers have relinquished their top-two position following Rochester’s win over the Swans and will require wins over Kyabram and Mooroopna, as well as a Tigers shock loss to Benalla or Tatura, if they are to reclaim a double chance in September.
