Shepparton United's Tom Bennett celebrates with Mitchell Serra (left) after kicking a goal.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
It’s been a long time between drinks, but the Demons are back on the winners’ list.
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A gritty and determined effort on Saturday saw the Demons clinch their second victory of the Goulburn Valley League season, defeating Mooroopna by six goals.
The Demons had not won since their round nine triumph over Tatura, but came into the contest knowing they could match the Cats after the pair’s round six encounter was decided by 18 points.
Mooroopna kicked off its day of celebrating the past players association’s 50th anniversary with three of the first four goals, but party time on field was short-lived as the second quarter rolled around.
Goals to Jayedon Hexter and Kyle Clarke put the Demons up after trailing by seven at quarter-time and a goal to Liam Serra established a two-goal advantage at the main break, with the Cats held goalless in the term.
United’s Kaedyn Napier was trialled in defence and made a seamless transition into the mix, with coach Trent Freer lauding his efforts as the Demons stifled the Cats’ attack.
“We put him down back to use his size and strength and he was fantastic for us,” Freer said.
“He really set the boys up and gelled with the back group.”
The teams traded blows in the third quarter, but the Demons once again rose to the challenge, outscoring Mooroopna by nine to increase the margin to 21.
Clarke slotted his third of four for the day at the start of the last quarter, before the Cats teased a comeback with two in a minute halfway through the last, but Clarke, Serra and Tom Bennett produced composed moments in time-on to seal the result, 13.13 (91) to 8.7 (55).
Freer said “barometer” Clarke was instrumental in the victory, with the livewire forward threatening the Cats’ defence with each possession.
“Kyle’s an absolute gem — he kicked four, but probably left four or five out there,” Freer said.
“He looked dangerous every time he went near the footy and every time he’s up and about the rest of the team love it.”
While it would have taken some kind of miracle from Tatura anyway, the win, arriving on the night the club celebrated its 75th anniversary, now assures the Demons avoid the wooden spoon ahead of their round 18 fixture, which comes against Euroa at home.
The confidence of Saturday’s result has Freer believing the Demons can finish an otherwise hellish year on a heavenly note.
“Certainly got a lot of confidence out of yesterday and that the set-ups and structures that we have can hold up,” he said.
“It was a little bit hard for a while when we did have a lot of injuries (to consistently implement the game plan).
“Hopefully we can get two on the trot, which would be a nice way to close out the season.”
Meanwhile, Mooroopna has the opportunity to bounce back against Echuca, which is coming off its own respective loss to Kyabram at the weekend.
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