There may have been a party in the grandstand at Deakin Reserve on Saturday, but there was another one on-field too for Shepparton.
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The Bears have claimed home ground bragging rights for the second time, and while it was not quite the 74-point pumping in round three, Shepparton still romped home to the tune of a 52-point victory against co-tenants Shepparton United in the Goulburn Valley League.
A pre-game rev up from the celebrating 2000 premiership reunion cohort fired up the Bears from the jump, with playing co-coach Ted Lindon stating you could “hear a pin drop” in the final address.
“We had the lads (2000 premiership players) in on our pre-game meeting,” Lindon said.
“We had Adam Bovalino and Mark Lambourn present to the lads and you could hear a pin drop in the room, everyone was so engaged.
“We had Matt Byers give the final address before they ran out and the lads loved that as well so it was just so nice to see the connection between the current group and the yesteryear heroes.”
Another Luke Smith masterclass piled on the pain for the one-win Demons, with the gem midfielder-forward tallying his second six-goal outing in three weeks.
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Shepparton's Jacob Watts fires a handball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 10
Shepparton's Jacob Watts and Lewis McShane celebrate a goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 10
Shepparton's Zaydan Leocata trying anything to halt Shepparton United's Sheldon Bogdan. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 10
The wrestle continues betwen Shepparton United's Sheldon Bogdan andShepparton's Zaydan Leocata. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 10
Shepparton, Lewis McShane kicks truly. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 10
Shepparton United's Jesse Cucinotta puts on the jets. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 10
Shepparton's Zaydan Leocata scans the field. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 10
Shepparton United's Jesse Cucinotta gets around Declan Newbound after a contested grab. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 10
Shepparton's Xavier Lewis anticipates the action. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 10
Shepparton United's Fraser Hicks wins the tap over Shepparton's Ashley Holland.GVL Footy @ DeakinGoulburn Valley League senior football round 14Shepparton v Shepparton United @ Deakin Reserve Photo by Megan FisherIt was Smith who unleashed the Bears’ ruthless attack after a commendable start from Shepparton United kept the club within two points 20 minutes into the first quarter, but three red time goals saw the lead quickly expand to 21 points at the first change of ends.
Lindon said Smith was “his magician self” despite entering the game under an injury cloud.
“He was incredible, really, he could hardly walk before the game,” Lindon said.
“He was in some strife with his body but you wouldn’t have known it watching the game.”
The Demons brought a more hell-bent attitude in the second term but following some back-and-forth scoring exchanges, Smith and Bears youngsters Noah Brodie, who earned a senior call-up after his 16-goal effort against Euroa, and Jake Watts put Shepparton United to the sword again.
“’Wattsy’, as per usual, was very influential on the result,” Lindon said.
“He played his traditional midfield role and his burst from stoppage is now trademark and was evident again yesterday.
“Noah Brodie came up and played his role accordingly.
“He was obviously coming up off an incredible week before, but his ability to fit in with the team role was pleasing.”
By halftime the lead had ballooned out by another 21 points for Shepparton to establish a seven-goal advantage at the main break.
With four goals to his name already, Smith tallied on another pair in the third term as the Demons remained competitive, kicking consecutive goals for the first time late in the quarter.
Jayedon Hexter and Kade Chalcraft snagged goals in the final term for the Demons but the damage was done, with the Bears securing their ninth win of the season, 16.16 (112) to 9.6 (60).
The Bears have now established a firm foothold inside the GVL’s finals calculations, sitting in fifth with the competition’s second-highest percentage and a three-win buffer ahead of seventh-placed Seymour.
Shepparton face Mooroopna next week and will head in as favourites to secure a sixth consecutive win, while Shepparton United will need to overcome undefeated Kyabram to avoid a sixth consecutive loss.