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Gallery | Gators produce clinical second-half performance against Venom

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Post up: Shepparton Gators’ Gabe Evans. Photo by Megan Fisher

An explosive and clinical second-half performance has helped deliver the Shepparton Gators an emphatic 42-point win over Warrandyte in front of their home fans on Saturday.

With a lead of five at the main break, the Gators piled on a jaw-dropping 54 points to 17 to completely blow the travelling visitors out of the water.

Shepparton held no prisoners as it ran out to a convincing 93-51 win in the round nine Big V division one men’s contest.

On the move: Shepparton Gators’ Garrett Jefferson. Photo by Megan Fisher

Talented import Garrett Jefferson was again prolific with 19 points, shooting at 53.3 per cent accuracy, while Matthew Bartlett and Dylan Wilkie chipped in with 11 points each.

But it was at the other end of the floor where Shepparton flexed its muscles.

Jordy Michel (five rebounds) and Tom Frame (five assists) produced eye-catching defensive efforts in the second half which flowed on to the Gators’ attacking prowess.

Warrandyte struggled to negate the intensity brought by the Gators and the visitors shot at 27 per cent from the floor.

Frustration: Shepparton Gators’ Dylan Wilkie. Photo by Megan Fisher

Gators head coach Josh Waight was proud of the buy-in from his playing group at the defensive end after the dominant triumph.

“At the main break we made a few little adjustments on our defence and to the group’s credit they did a fantastic job in raising the defensive pressure and effort,” he said.

“Jordy and Tom both showed the way. Those two led the way for the rest of the group and everyone else bought into their defensive effort.

“It led to multiple stops and that allowed for easier transition for our offence. The boys got some good looks and we shot the ball really well.

“It was a really pleasing performance.”

Ready to jump: Shepparton Gators’ Matt Andronicos. Photo by Megan Fisher

The classy win at the weekend sees the Gators move to an impressive 8-4 record from 12 games to be placed second on the table.

The Gators return to Shepparton Sports Stadium this weekend for a home match against third-ranked Corio Bay — a side the Gators defeated in round eight.

Waight said the test for his group moving forward would be whether they were able to back up that performance each time they stepped out on the hardwood.

“The challenge for us now is to do that each week and not pick and choose when to perform at that level,” he said.

“That’s the next step we need to take.”

Locked in: Shepparton Gators’ Matthew Bartlett. Photo by Megan Fisher
In traffic: Warrandyte’s Bryan Moore tries to defend against Shepparton Gators’ Nick Dodd. Photo by Megan Fisher
Jostling for position: Shepparton Gators’ Sam Beks. Photo by Megan Fisher
In the zone: Shepparton Gators’ Garrett Jefferson. Photo by Megan Fisher