In a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout, the Swans finished strongly to overturn a half time deficit and secure the narrow victory at Benalla Showgrounds to bounce back following two consecutive defeats.
Benalla made the early running, capitalising on their opportunities in a scrappy opening term.
Goals to Tom Bennett and Michael Mummery helped the Saints to a three-point lead at quarter time, as Shepparton struggled to convert their chances despite generating forward entries.
The Saints extended that advantage in the second quarter, with Sam Begley, Mummery and Max Smyth all hitting the scoreboard as Benalla began to take control.
While the Swans responded through James Auld, who was lively in attack, and Christian Georgiou, they were again left to rue missed opportunities.
At half time, Benalla held a narrow lead in what had been a closely fought contest.
Shepparton lifted after the main break, producing their most effective passage of play in the third term as goals to Will Dwyer and Auld sparked the Swans, while Kaade Anderson added two crucial majors as they began to turn the momentum.
Despite Mummery continuing to be a focal point up forward for Benalla, the Swans’ increased pressure and improved ball movement allowed them to edge in front heading into the final quarter.
With the game on the line, the Shepparton outfit put down a significant marker in the contest early in the closing term.
Nathan Rachele kicked an important goal to give the visitors the lead, before Max Bicknell added another to extend the margin.
Benalla refused to surrender quietly, though, with Mitchell Vasterink and Cooper Gracie both hitting the scoreboard to keep the Saints within reach.
However, missed chances proved costly, with the home side unable to fully capitalise on their opportunities in the closing stages.
Despite the late pressure, the Swans held firm to secure a hard-fought win, with their composure in key moments ultimately proving the difference.
Swans stalwart Rachele reflected on a true war of attrition as his side edged what proved to be a gruelling affair.
“We were probably playing into their hands a bit and we were probably our own worst enemy - turning the ball over in dangerous spots,” he said, of the first-half showing.
“That obviously led to Benalla scoring quite a few times off our turnovers.”
That said, the Shepp star was more convinced by the performance following the break - in particular, a strong third quarter display.
“Our skills were probably the main thing that was letting us down and just going too quick, I reckon they scored probably seven goals from our turnovers.
“So we had to try and clean that up and obviously it was a bit of an arm wrestle, so to come away with the win was nice.”
“It was probably anyone’s game, we will take a lot out of it,” he added of the importance of this clash as a learning experience for this Swans team.
“A game like that - in the balance, that could go either way - is about showing that maturity and to slow things down and take the momentum out of it.
“We’ll take a lot from that, which is always good.”
The result sees Shepparton rewarded for their ability to respond after half time, while Benalla will be left to rue missed opportunities in a contest that could have gone either way.
Next up, the Swans will face off against Seymour at Princess Park in round six of the GVL on May 9, while Benalla will be looking to rally back in its next outing against Tatura down at Tatura Park that same day.
