Shepparton Swans' Will Dwyer sets sail for goal.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The red and white could be set to swan dive out of the top six.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Across the course of July, Shepparton Swans’ grip on fourth-spot, and a second-consecutive Goulburn Valley League finals appearance, has withered away.
The loss on Saturday to Shepparton United has only raised further doubts about whether they will maintain their position inside the finals equation by season’s end.
The blemish to the Demons is the Princess Park tenants’ third straight defeat on the bounce, but none have been as comprehensive as Saturday.
Shepparton United launched a seven-goal bombardment in the opening term to extract a 26-point lead, as Matthew Casey returned from interleague duties in ripping form, kicking three in that scoring avalanche.
Angus Hicks and Zavier Maher continued to punish the Swans in the second term, the margin increasing as high as 39, before James Auld notched one back, and a handful of behinds made it a five-goal game at the main break.
At last, Shepparton United was enjoying accuracy in front of goal.
Across its previous four games, United had scored a combined 26 goals, but 46 behinds.
At Princess Park, the yips were a thing of the past.
As the second half action heated up, United booted five goals in the third and fourth quarter respectively for a 10-goal half, while tallying just five minor scores.
While a sharp-shooting four goals straight were kicked by the Swans in the final term, the first three quarters were inaccurate - 5.10 at three-quarter-time.
Shepparton United’s clinical delivery in front of the sticks handed the Demons not just a vital eight-point swing victory, but a percentage-booster to climb into sixth on the GVL table.
At full time, United’s victory was emphatic - 9.10 (64) to 19.12 (126).
Shepparton United's Brodie Newman gets a handball away.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 2 of 7
Shepparton United's Joel Serra provides the handball receive.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 3 of 7
Shepparton United's Brodie Newman runs through the square.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 4 of 7
Shepparton Swans' Will Dwyer sets sail for goal.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 5 of 7
Shepparton United's Mitchell Trevaskis is tucked in the back pocket.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 6 of 7
Shepparton United's Sheldon Bogdan at the defensive arc.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 7 of 7
Shepparton United's Kale Gibson kicks on the run.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Swans now hold just a two-point buffer over teams placed fifth through eighth, with Kyabram, United, Mooroopna and Rochester all holding 7-7 records.
In a week’s time, the Swans hold in the top six through the majority of the season could finally slip.
They’ll host the ladder-leading Bears in a season defining encounter, with a loss potentially dropping the Swans out of the top half.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Demons though, hosting Mooroopna at Deakin Reserve in round 15, the Cats having just played at the ground and itching for victory after a gutting two-point loss to Shepparton.
8°C