Shepparton Gators look to get back to winning ways

By Jay Bryce

May 9, 2024

Car sick: The Gators have just one more game on the road before they finally return to the Swamp. Photo by Megan Fisher

The Shepparton Gators are in need of a pick-me-up.

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The newly promoted side had an electric start to the Big V championship season, taking some top teams down to the wire and grabbing a few victories.

But in recent weeks, the Gators have stalled, with two losses in a row.

Last week, it was a frustrating game away against Sunbury that saw Shepparton squander a six-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Before that, the Gators took on Pakenham, away again, failing to overcome an awful start that saw them down 14 after just the first quarter.

Shepparton head coach Josh Waight said he couldn’t fault the efforts of his troops, but it was all about putting together a consistent performance.

“We need to minimise the lapses and put in a four-quarter performance,” Waight said.

“We had a great session this week, we know what we need to work on, we didn’t show it last time out but we will this time.”

Waight said the team was progressing in the right direction early in the season but had a long way to go.

He also pointed out that Seymour native Tyler Best would be joining the squad a few weeks after his college season finished in the United States, adding another dynamic to the side and more firepower.

Shepparton currently sits eighth on the ladder, with three wins and four losses, and travels to take on 11th-placed Blackburn in round six, which has won only one game this season.

They play this Sunday, May 12, at 2.30pm.

It is the last of three consecutive away games, with a stretch of three home games on the horizon.

Waight said it was an opportunity to head back to the Swamp with an even record to build on.

“We do well at home, we have our fans to thank for that,” he said.

“If we go 50/50 into the home stretch, it gives us an opportunity to string some wins together heading into the tail end of the season.”

The goal is still finals, and Waight pointed out that fifth-placed McKinnon won the grand final last season.

“We’ve shown we can compete with the best,” he said.

“We’ve always been a team that plays our best basketball at the end of the season, and we’ll take our chances against anybody. We’ve just got to get there.”