Five goals in a half is a feat rarely seen.
Shepparton United’s Willie Sauiluma delivered that against La Trobe University in round one of the FV Greater Bendigo League 1 season, going on a second-half tear that spurred the Blues to a 7-0 win in Bendigo.
Remarkably, at half-time the scoreline read 1-0 after Mohammad Reza Baqiri converted a 20th-minute penalty, but at the resumption of play it was complete carnage.
Sauiluma netted his first two goals within as many minutes to all but seal La Trobe’s fate, but not content, the Blues’ striker rounded out his hat-trick in the 64th minute and two more closing in on the final whistle.
“He’s been training really hard during the off season and looking sharp,” Shepparton United coach Roven Shaholli said.
“He deserves those goals, and it’s a great start for him.”
Abdullah Farhood popped a late goal through to pile on the hurt, spurring United to the perfect start to its title defence.
The Blues’ six-goal second half was a product of patience, said Shaholli.
“The boys were patient enough to keep playing our game, it was a good brand,” he said.
“It was only 1-0 at half-time, but you’ve got to be patient with it.”
Meanwhile, Shepparton South shrugged off Strathdale in a physical season opener.
Strathdale’s Jon Bryers and South’s Nathan Cirillo each copped a yellow card before Joel Aitken broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with the first of his two goals for the game.
Strathdale was reduced to 10 men with Daniel Deblauw shown a straight red card, and Aitken capitalised after half-time to complete his brace.
Greg Nash sealed the deal with his 64th-minute strike and despite conceding a penalty at the other end, it was the black and white walking away with the three points after a 3-0 triumph.
Spring Gully kicked off its campaign with a 3-0 win over Epsom to round out the winners, while Tatura received a forfeit from Shepparton SC ahead of their round one clash.
The circumstances surrounding the Reds’ forfeiture remain unclear, but the club has issued a social media post listing an open training session on April 14 under new coach Connor McLaughlin, taking place at Vibert Reserve from 7pm-8.30pm.
The League 1 women also kicked off on Saturday, and Shepparton United enjoyed similar fortunes as the men’s team.
The Blues were 8-0 winners over La Trobe thanks to braces from Lexi Boswell and Maria Villani while Ella Loverso, Lilli Wilson, and Olivia Loverso also contributed in the round one onslaught.
Tatura made the journey across to Bendigo to face Colts United, but despite a gallant second half, the Ibises struggled to contain the influence of the reigning champions in a 5-0 loss.
Spring Gully rounded out the opening stanza of the 2026 campaign with a 15-0 win over Kyneton.
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