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Coaches corner: What the GVL coaches said heading into round six

Tough test ahead: Mansfield coach Chad Owens said stoppages would be one of the keys against Shepparton this weekend, a side that gave the Eagles trouble in 2022. Photo by Aydin Payne

Mansfield coach: Chad Owens

“They (Shepparton) gave us a bit of trouble, to be honest, they were both close games (last season).

“If we can get our stoppages right, we are really confident we can kick a big score.

“We have changed a couple of things up in our forward line this week that should give us a bit more speed and a bit more pressure as well.

“Fraser Dale is coming back and he has been in great form for us. Mitch White will be coming back too, so those are two really big inclusions for us.”

Mooroopna coach: John Lamont

“Without overstating it, it is pretty crucial for us. We have the interleague the weekend after, so from a mental viewpoint, it would be great to be 4-2 at the bye as opposed to 3-3.

“We are on the search for a bit of consistency and doing what we should be doing and getting our player performance up at an individual level.

“We had two pretty good performances against them last year, so they’ll want to come back and serve it up to us. I would expect that they are going to play with plenty of spirit against us.

“I just want our player performance to go up a level from what it has been from the previous five games.”

Seymour coach: Ben Davey

"The approach is that we can’t take this team (Shepparton Swans) lightly or disrespect them, or they will really hurt us. They got us last year in a similar situation.

“If you rock up and you are five or 10 per cent off your game, these teams will hurt you.

“The key focus is to turn up like we want to play our best footy and respect our opponent. Because if you don’t do that, it is not going to go well for you. You have to bring your best every week.

Shepparton Swans coach: Jedd Wright

“Seymour are a really quality team. Them and Echuca are really looking good for the top two.

“We take a lot of confidence out of our performances against the better teams. We know that our best footy is good enough to match it with them ― whether we can get over the top or not, we’ll wait and see.

“I think our starts are crucial. We had a great start last week against Euroa, but we were in and out of the game for patches. We want to maintain our intensity for the four quarters.

“Pressure is a real focus for us. We like the tight, contested footy and then getting it on the outside so we can use our speed. I’d be looking for another good showing in that department this week.”

Rochester coach: Ash Watson

“The boys have some confidence coming off a win last weekend against Tat.

“We played well, particularly in the second half, and hopefully we can take it into this weekend against the Cats.

“We know they are a good side, Mooroopna. We have a lot of respect for the way they play and we will have to play our best to beat them.

“They have some quality forwards up there, so we have to try and stop them, for a start. We need to win the contested footy and have our ball movement working the way want to play.”

Echuca co-coach: Sam Reid

“We don't want Benalla to get the jump on us, we want the opportunity to use our run and carry game.

“There will be opportunity for a few of our young blokes to put their hand up this week.

“Kane Morris is out for around six weeks, so that will give our younger rucks an opportunity. If Cam Valentine passes training that will be handy having him back in, we'll need our backs to lift against Waite and Mellington.”