Watching on: Joshua Marchbank keeps an eye on the ball during Benalla’s loss to Shepparton Swans at Princess Park on Saturday afternoon.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
As the siren sounded on the third quarter, the round 10 fixture between Benalla and Shepparton Swans was on a knife’s edge.
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Benalla led by two points away from home in the Goulburn Valley League at Princess Park on Saturday afternoon, but that was all about to change.
No-one could have predicted what happened next, as the Swans found a gear and blew Benalla away to record an 11.12.(78) to 6.5.(41) win.
Palmed off: Jack Frampton keeps The Swan’s Bowen Calogero at bay.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Benalla co-coach Will Martiniello has reiterated the importance of staying positive despite the harsh loss.
“The message at half-time was that we keep positive and keep playing our style,” he said.
“Losing Nick Mellington in the first and David Mennen after that was tough.
“I think we used all our petrol tickets in the third, to be honest.
“Blake (Uebergang) played in one of the hardest positions on the field and to see him back himself in was good to see. He’s definitely one for the future for us.”
The game was expected to be an even contest between two teams struggling to find consistent form.
Finding space: James Martiniello looks to progress the ball up the field.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Benalla’s main forward target was back, as ex-AFL player Jarrad Waite returned to the side after his eight-goal thriller against Rochester two rounds previous.
The Saints where hoping his presence and prowess in front of goal would make the difference, but a lack of service meant his impact was limited to two goals.
The first three quarters were tightly contested.
Calm before the storm: Benalla huddles before the fourth quarter.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Swans got off to the stronger start, kicking the first two majors, with the Saints kicking one late on.
The second quarter was just as evenly matched, as both teams responded to the other’s goals.
Both sides managed to slot three goals, with the Swans edging the quarter with three behinds to the Saints’ two.
Airborne: Benalla’s Joshua Marchbank get hands on the ball before Shepparton Swans’ Tyreece Collison.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Benalla controlled the third quarter, despite limited opportunities, and kept the hosts goalless.
The Saints showcased their accuracy in front of the big sticks and booted two goals straight – which gave the visitors a slim buffer at the final break.
However, Shepparton Swans’ coach Jedd Wright must have delivered an inspiring three-quarter-time speech as the home side left Benalla in its wake with a damaging final term display.
Handball: Quade Johnstone gets rid of the ball.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Swans kicked six unanswered goals – more than doubling the score they had put on the board coming into the quarter – while Benalla, shocked by the onslaught, could only manage a single behind as Wright’s men claimed a 37-point triumph.
Injuries continue to plague the Saints, but football manager Terry Blackburn was able to reflect on the silver linings.
Crunching: Benalla’s Wade King is caught by Tom Preece.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“We’re getting games into the kids and they’re standing out and having a go,” he said.
“We’ve got Kyabram without a few of our major players. It’s just how our whole year has been, really. We get four players back and four players are out.”
Kyabram will be one of Benalla’s toughest opponents yet, as it sits second on the ladder behind only Echuca on percentage.
Looking forward: Benalla’s Riley Johnson concentrating on the game.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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