Shepparton was firing on all cylinders in the front half of the ground during its impressive 55-point win over Benalla according to co-coach Ted Lindon.
The Bears mentor highlighted as much after the game, one where recruits Trent Herbert booted six goals and Lewis McShane slotted four.
Lindon’s charges had their third best scoring efficiency of the season with 45 per cent, while it was their best goal accuracy of the campaign (66 per cent).
Lindon was impressed with his side’s “front half connection” and “forward pressure” and one glance at the numbers and it’s no wonder why.
Shepparton had its best inside 50 entries of the season and went at 66 per cent, while the Bears were ferocious with their tackling inside forward 50 to post 18 for the match ― more than double their per game average of 7.6.
That tackling pressure resulted in 2.2 (14) scored from turnovers inside forward 50.
Key stats
Disposals
Shepparton: 342
Benalla: 241
Contested possessions
Shepparton: 135
Benalla: 111
Inside 50
Shepparton: 53
Benalla: 33
Clearances
Shepparton: 35
Benalla: 36
Turnovers
Shepparton: 54
Benalla: 60
Pressure acts
Shepparton: 57
Benalla: 70
Tackles
Shepparton: 48
Benalla: 46
Gathers
Shepparton: 44
Benalla: 12
Jayden Dhosi was a wrecking ball and laid five tackles inside the Bears’ forward 50, while teammate Tyler Larkin flexed his muscles with four of his six tackles coming in front of goals.
Shepparton gave its forward six plenty of chances with 53 inside 50 entries and that resulted in 22 marks coming inside their attacking 50 ― a season-high.
It was also the Deakin Reserve co-tenant’s second best outing of 2023 in terms of ball use.
Shepparton went at 74 per cent disposal efficiency and 67 per cent by foot compared to Benalla’s 55 per cent kicking efficiency.