The Bears put on a four quarter clinic at Moon Oval to dispatch Rochester by 53 points in round five of the Goulburn Valley League season, leaving the Tigers reeling at 1-4.
Expected by many to go one better in 2026, Rochester has been off the mark to start the year, faltering against all three top six teams it has faced to open a challenging early fixture, while expectedly securing four premiership points against Tatura.
On Saturday, the loss to Shepparton made it a fourth loss to a contender.
The Tigers were held to just a goal in the opening quarter as Shepparton nudged its way to a 17-point quarter-time lead, before being held goalless in the second term, registering four behinds to Shepparton’s 3.3.
Three-pronged Bears forward line Luke Smith, Trent Herbert and Anthony Andronaco had dealt the damage early as the Bears led by 34 at the main break.
Rochester’s Hamish Hoopell did all he could in the third term to wrestle some momentum back, kicking three unanswered goals on his own in a sharp-shooting quarter for the Tigers, but the lead would only be reduced by one heading into the final quarter.
Smith, Herbert and Andronaco would all boot the Sherrin through the middle posts in a five-goal final term for Shepparton, extending the lead beyond doubt to a 15.16 (106) to 8.5 (53) result.
Liam Broom was Shepparton’s best, while Ryley Ferguson was admirable for Rochester.
The win moves Shepparton to 5-0, but it will face its biggest test against the reigning premiers in round six, hosting Kyabram at Deakin Reserve.
Meanwhile Rochester will travel to take on Euroa, which are yet to win a game this season, offering an opportunity to potentially spring the Tigers back into the finals calibre form it is capable of.
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