One of the most anticipated matches on the Goulburn Valley League calendar didn’t disappoint on Good Friday evening with Shepparton United saluting in what many called an upset win.
In wet and slippery conditions, tempers flared and scuffles broke out as the Dees skipped away to a 22-point win.
There have been a few days now to let the dust settle on the contest and it’s time now to take an in-depth look into the numbers behind the contest.
United’s on-ballers, led by gun recruit Jayden Magro, Joel Serra, Sheldon Bogdan and Fergus Pinnuck were bruising around the contest and won the tackle count 67-60.
Magro finished with 20 disposals, 15 of those contested, while Bogdan (16 contested), Pinnuck (14) and Serra (12) provided great support by winning the groundball.
United finished the game with 101-87 groundball gets, 51-42 hardball gets and 50-45 looseball gets.
United also finished with +16 overall pressure acts.
United won the clearance count by eight, along with the hit-outs — which it finished +17 in.
The conditions wreaked havoc on the foot skills for players on both sides, with United going at 57 per cent by foot, while the Bears finished with 64 per cent.
Shepparton pounced on United’s mistakes with 53 intercept possessions to 35.
No surprises to see the backline general and Bears co-coach Ted Lindon chalk up 11 of those intercepts as he finished the game with 27 disposals and 10 rebound 50s.
Adam De Cicco was influential in his first game at GVL level.
The former Murray league talent chalked up 22 dipsosals, eight tackles and five clearances in his debut for the Bears.
De Cicco went at 81 per cent by foot — a superb effort considering the slippery conditions.
Key stats:
Disposals
Shepparton: 306
Shepparton United: 284
Contested possessions
Shepparton: 134
Shepparton United: 147
Intercept possessions
Shepparton: 53
Shepparton United: 35
Marks
Shepparton: 72
Shepparton United: 47
Clearances
Shepparton: 41
Shepparton United: 49