The Eagles are fast earning themselves a welcomed reputation as kings of the fourth quarter.
Mansfield iced the game against Shepparton Swans in the last stanza at the weekend, making it three games on the bounce where Chad Owens’ side has outscored its opponent in the final term.
A 22-point fourth-quarter effort against Euroa wasn’t enough to streak away to victory, however, four goals against Tatura and three through the sticks at Princess Park stole the game away at the death over the Bulldogs and Swans respectively.
However, it’s not just the scoreboard where the Eagles soar in the latter stages.
During its breakaway triumph over Shepparton Swans, Mansfield’s ball movement dwarfed the hosts’ fourth quarter total, winning the disposal count 86-54.
Eagles’ midfield men Lachlan Murphy-Dale and Patrick Marks reached double digits to have 22 combined touches between them, while the Swans’ best was split between three players on five disposals each.
Mansfield’s disposal efficiency in the final quarter sat at 79 per cent — 13 per cent above the Swans — while the visitors also dominated marks 40-14, with five of those inside 50, to the Swans’ two.
The fast finish was important, but who were the Eagles’ instigators in the first three quarters to set the platform?
A pair of clear standouts spring to mind and it’s none other than Mansfield brothers Lachlan Murphy-Dale and Frazer Dale.
The ball-magnets amassed 38 and 36 disposals respectively, also head and shoulders atop the contested possession statistic list for either side, with Frazer finishing the day on 187 ranking points and his sibling on 178.
Key stats
Frazer Dale against Shepparton Swans
Disposals: 36
Contested possessions: 14
Inside-50s: 8
Rebound-50s: 7
Clearances: 8
Disposal efficiency: 86 per cent
Ranking points: 187