Shepparton Swans’ second-half second-wind seems to swing the side within striking distance, so why do they start so skilfully in stanzas three and four?
Jedd Wright’s charges have outscored and outperformed their opponents after the long break in both of the Swans’ opening Goulburn Valley League games.
Yet, Princess Park’s tenants lay an unwanted claim to a pair of two-point defeats.
In the season-opening loss to Euroa, the Swans kicked 5.6 to the Magpies’ 3.4 after half-time to almost snatch a statement victory against the 2022 grand finalist.
That is no mean feat.
However, Saturday’s narrow shortfall on the road to Mansfield was even more painful, given how much better the visitors were in quarters three and four.
Shepparton Swans’ second half against Mansfield
Hit-outs
Shepp Swans: 33
Mansfield: 9
Forward 50 entry efficiency
Shepp Swans: 60%
Mansfield: 49%
Scoring efficiency
Shepp Swans: 61%
Mansfield: 45%
Goals
Shepp Swans: 9
Mansfield: 5
Wright’s boys nearly doubled Mansfield’s tally in the second half with a 61-35 point split, and after delving into the second-half nitty gritty, a smattering of stats raised a brow or two.
It was like splitting hairs in the disposal count — 143-140 the Swans’ way — yet the travellers dominated the stoppages hands down.
A smashing in the hit-out department to the tune of 33-9 meant the rucking efforts of the Swans had the wood over the Eagles, the former scoring from a combined 21 per cent to the latter’s one from the stoppage source.
Surprisingly, the Swans and Mansfield’s inside 50 count was similar (26-22) in the second half, but the away team was much more deadly with its opportunities.
Swans held the upper hand in scoring efficiency percentage in the third quarter (62-44) as well as the last term (60-46).
That is starkly compared to their efforts in the opening half, with Mansfield more efficient by 20 per cent in the initial quarter and 21 per cent in the second.
When glancing over the statistics from all eight quarters of competitive football the Swans have played in 2024, they’ve nailed four goals or more just twice, while their foes have doubled that effort.
Perhaps the Swans' key to turning narrow losses into wins lies in capitalising when a run-on occurs and producing more effervescent starts as their finishing game is hard to knock.
Facing Seymour this weekend, a team that waned late to lose against Tatura in round one, it will be intriguing to see what transpires after half-time.
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