What do tomato sauce and Vegemite have to do with football?
How could to two pantry staples have played any sort of role in helping a team earn a gritty three-goal win against a rival?
The two condiments don’t normally go together, but for Shepparton, they were the main ingredients in a game plan that lifted it to a 20-point win over Shepparton Swans.
Source and spread – that was the Bears’ focus heading into the Goulburn Valley League contest at Deakin Reserve.
Sourcing the ball at the coalface and winning the contested footy, then spreading wide as a collective to stretch the field and create space after that.
The tomato sauce – the source – and the Vegemite – the spread – served as two tangible reminders of that philosophy, even appearing in the Bears’ change rooms before the game.
It might not be the most everyday way to reinforce a game plan, but it sure worked.
Trailing by a point at the main break, the Bears kicked things up a gear in the second half as they sourced and spread their way to a hard-fought 10.11 (71) to 7.9 (51) win over the Swans.
“Source and spread. Source and spread. As silly as that sounds, that was the theme of the week,” Bears co-coach Ted Lindon said.
“It is super pleasing to get the result. It is just reward for effort for the gents.
“Probably the most pleasing thing today was our intent at the source of the ball, both on the ground and in the air, and our ability to spread.
“We had bit of a retinker with our game style and for the boys to adapt and be a sponge and listen and implement was probably the most pleasing aspect to today’s win.”
The Bears and Swans entered the contest with identical 1-5 win-loss records, with both teams desperately needing a win to keep their finals aspirations alive.
The two teams could barely be split in an intense opening half, with one point the margin at quarter-time and half-time.
A back-and-forth third quarter had the Bears edge out to a five-point lead at the final change – an advantage they were somewhat fortunate to hold.
The Swans had put the Bears under tremendous pressure during the term, but a handful of missed set shots meant they were unable to capitalise.
At three-quarter time, Swans coach Jedd Wright said the fourth stanza would be “the quarter that kick-starts our season” and early on a goal from Bowen Calogero put the red-and-whites in front – but the lead did not last long.
Lewis McShane answered back for the Bears shortly after – one of his four goals on the day – giving his side the lead for good.
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On the lookout: Shepparton's Ned Byrne searches for a teammate. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 7
Thrills and spills: Diesel Batey goes to ground after a marking contest. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 7
Skipper: Bears captain Mitchell Brett. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 7
Aerial duel: Bryce Stephenson and Ben Gilberto battle it out in the ruck. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 7
On the run: Diesel Batey gathers the ball for the Swans. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 7
Full flight: Zac Alderton takes a bounce as he runs down the field for the Swans. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 7
Making a stand: Shepparton Football Netball CLub president Brendan Bicknell makes a speech in a ceremony marking the GVL’s ‘Say No to Violence Round. Photo by Rechelle ZammitTwo more goals further opened up the gap and, while the Swans pegged one back at the 22-minute mark to offer a small glimmer of hope, McShane’s fourth sealed the deal and capped a 20-point triumph for the Bears.
Lindon praised his side’s ability to weather the storm when the Swans were on the attack in the third term and early in the fourth.
“That has happened at various stages throughout the year,” he said.
“The ability to implement momentum stoppers when the other side is getting the upper hand.
“On the flip side, we had stages today where we had momentum and our ability to maximise that, in particualry late, was also pleasing. Our ability to run out games has been an asset all year.”
Alongside McShane, there were some other key contributors Lindon praised for their efforts.
“Bryce Stephenson has continued to excel his game dramatically,” the Bears co-coach said.
“It is no surprise to us. It maybe surprised a few how well he went at interleague, but it was no surprise to us and he showed that today.
“Jonty Wardle was great, Anthony Andronaco was great. We had a lot of boys who put in a shift today, it was a collective effort, which was nice.”
For the Swans, Calogero ended the day with three goals, while Nathan Hrovat was another standout.
Hrovat’s former North Melbourne teammate Sam Wright played his first game in the Swans’ red-and-white on Saturday, but was held goalless by Lindon and the Bears’ back six.
“It was more of an older fashioned game from me,” Lindon, who lined up on Wright, said.
“I wasn’t too involved offensively, it was more of a lockdown role for me. It was a collective effort from the back six lads today to absorb some pressure, which I think we did.”
The victory moves the Bears (2-5) into seventh spot on the ladder, three wins behind Mansfield, Euroa and Mooroopna who are fourth, fifth and sixth.
The Swans meanwhile remain in 10th spot, equal with Shepparton United, Rochester and Benalla with one win and six defeats.