It will be a game that Shepparton will remember for years to come, but one day Tatura will want to quickly wipe from its memory.
The Bears prevailed by two points at Tatura Park thanks to an incredible after-the-siren snag from gun forward Trent Herbert.
Although the round 10 encounter was impacted by the strong breeze on the day it was a closely-fought contest between the two sides jostling to be the best team in the Goulburn Valley League outside of the top six.
Tatura was able to get the better start and posted 16-5 intercept possessions for the term and scored 1.3 (9) to 0.0 (0) from turnovers.
Yet the host was unable to get its hands on the ball with Shepparton winning the contested possessions, hard-ball gets and marks (34-11).
When it came to Shepparton having the breeze in the second term, Tatura played keepings off with 23-11 marks for the quarter, while the Bulldogs also won disposals and contested possessions, but only went inside 50 seven times for no score.
Key stats
Disposals
Tatura: 295
Shepparton: 288
Contested possessions
Tatura: 101
Shepparton: 119
Intercept possessions
Tatura: 57
Shepparton: 38
Hit-outs
Tatura: 36
Shepparton: 54
Inside 50s
Tatura: 46
Shepparton: 37
Rebound 50s
Tatura: 31
Shepparton: 39
Tackles
Tatura: 56
Shepparton: 59
Tatura was down in the marking categories, with the number one ranked uncontested marking team only managing 68 for the match compared to Shepparton’s 79.
The Bulldogs weren’t able to get their marking game happening, but that allowed Paul Barnard’s team to get to work on its tackling.
The hosts, who are ranked second last in the comp for tackling, posted 56 for the match ― up from their per game average of 47.3.
In the final quarter Tatura was able to dominate the air with 31-12 marks, with , with 16 of those coming from uncontested marks and six coming from marks inside 50.
The Bulldogs also posted 14 inside 50s to nine, but the Bears’ defensive stocks were able to stand tall with 13 rebound 50s.
Shepparton won the tackle count (11-10) ― six coming inside defensive 50 ― won pressure acts (13-7) and won contested possessions (24-21).