Euroa’s Jayden Gleeson gets a hold of Shepparton Swans’ Nathan Hrovat.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Ten goals, four points and finals footy confirmed.
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That’s what Shepparton Swans achieved on Saturday — but if Jedd Wright’s charges needed a test of nerve after the bye, Euroa was more than willing to provide it.
At Princess Park, the Magpies swung the hammer hard during the latter stages, but the Swans had already done the heavy lifting in the penultimate Goulburn Valley League clash.
A blistering start, a revival in the third term and enough composure in the dying minutes sealed a 10.8 (68) to 8.11 (59) victory that keeps the Swans in check ahead of their first post-season appearance in nine years.
The opening quarter of an hour was all red and white.
Shepparton Swans’ Mitch Grumley tries to keep his balance while under pressure.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton Swans’ James Auld almost holds on to a screamer.
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Megan Fisher
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Euroa’s Jayden Gleeson lowers the eyes while searching for a lead.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Euroa’s Lachlan Hill and Shepparton Swans’ Mitch Grumley.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Euroa’s Marcus Varley gives this kick the berries.
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Megan Fisher
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Shepparton Swans’ Jonathan Moore finished with two goals against Euroa.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton Swans’ Luke Davies and Euroa’s Declan Redfern.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
From the moment veteran Andrew Riordan curved one through from the right flank, the Swans looked comfortable back at home for the first time in three weeks.
Jonathan Moore doubled the tally with a sharp soccer off the deck, before he was at it again — clunking Mark Kovacevic’s booming inside-50 and finishing neatly.
Euroa spent the first 15 minutes penned inside its own half, but when Lachie Hill jagged a crafty bounced kick through at the 19-minute mark, it was as though a tap had been turned.
Jacob Gleeson followed with another two minutes later and, suddenly, the visitors had seized momentum with the scoreboard teetering at 20-15 at the first change.
However, the second quarter was trench warfare.
A slate of errors and missed kicks made for ugly viewing and drew plenty of groans from the crowd and it took a Jett Trotter goal to finally break the deadlock and level the game at 21-all.
By half-time Euroa led 23-22 and the Swans’ backline — anchored by Lucas Rachele in the back pocket — was the only thing preventing greater damage.
But after almost an hour without a major, the Swans found their spark in the third.
Not before they were stung first: Nic Burke’s hopeful snap somehow evaded a fingertip and bounced through, handing Euroa the perfect start.
That was the cue for the Swans to wake.
Joeve Cooper slipped out the back and thrashed one home and suddenly the crowd had something to roar about.
Moments later Mitch Grumley unloaded from range and the Swans were back in front, providing the swing the game had been waiting for.
James Auld, playing his 50th game for the Swans, but subdued in the first half, emerged with a strong lead and a nerveless set shot to stretch the margin before Quade Johnstone added another.
At 19 points clear, the Swans were strutting again.
Euroa’s Will Creevey steadied the ship with a strong contested mark and goal and the Magpies thought they had more when Mitch Walters launched after the siren — but the umpire waved one flag instead of two.
At three-quarter time the Swans held a 50-38 advantage.
The final term began with authority as Steele Simpson’s pinpoint pass found Auld on the lead and he delivered his second.
Euroa rallied through sheer force of will, jagging one almost immediately to stay alive, but Simpson wasn’t done.
His contested grab and conversion made it three goals the margin and the Swans could almost taste it.
Then came the flashpoint: Nathan Hrovat was shoved into the post as he ran to goal, the umpire’s whistle instantly followed, and from the square he made no mistake.
The lead ballooned and, although Declan Redfern and the irrepressible Trotter bombed late goals from distance, the damage was irreversible.
Grumley played a sensational game on ball for the Swans alongside Johnstone, while Auld and Moore chipped in with two goals apiece.
For Euroa, Jack McKernan battled valiantly in the loss with Walters another standout for the Magpies.
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