It may have not looked like a game of much importance on paper, but even Shepparton Swans coach Jedd Wright conceded he was a nervous man in the build up to Saturday’s 38-point win over Shepparton United.
A spirited second-half performance from the Swans, after trailing by four points at the main break, had them claim a “great win” at home on a day the Swans celebrated 200-gamer Quade Johnstone and its Sponsors Day.
In wet conditions, the Swans booted seven of the last eight goals to run out 10.12 (72) to 5.4 (34) winners against their cross-town rival in the Indigenous Round encounter.
Jubilant scenes filled the home rooms as players and supporters lived up the Swans’ third win of the year and saluted a club favourite.
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On the move: Swans'' Quade Johnstone in game 200.Image 2 of 10
Up for grabs: Swans' Enrique Goggin.Image 3 of 10
Wet weather footy: Shepparton United's Mitch Roche watches on after getting a kick away.Image 4 of 10
Get around him: Zac Clohesy celebrates his goal.Image 5 of 10
Duking it out: Swans' Andrew Riordan gets ready to spoil against United's Sam McInneny.Image 6 of 10
Lost possession: Shepparton United's Robbie Mifka.Image 7 of 10
Turn and go: Shepparton United's Marcus Wattie.Image 8 of 10
Send it long: Shepparton United's Mitch Trevaskis.Image 9 of 10
Winding up: Swans' Max Clohesy.Image 10 of 10
Pumped: Swans' James Auld celebrates a goal.“I was really nervous coming in today; it was a big day for not only Quade, but for the whole club, so it was great to get the result in the end,” Wright said.
“It’s just a club that’s so hungry for success and works really hard for success, so it’s good to get some reward, especially on a day like this with all our sponsors and in Quade’s 200.
“He’s been a great servant to the club and in this day and age for anyone to get to 200 games anywhere is a real testament to your character, so I was rapt we were able to get the win for him.”
The game was evenly poised in the first half, but once Princess Park received a deluge of rain to start the second term, Shepparton United was able to handle the conditions better.
Sheldon Bogdan (one goal) was front and centre around the stoppages, while teammates Mitch Roche (one) and Marcus Wattie (one) were influential across the ground.
It wasn’t until the third term that the Swans were able to click into gear.
With a back six — led by spiritual leader Andrew Riordan, Isaiah Jones and Mason Pedretti — holding down the fort, the midfield movers in Nathan Hrovat and Zac Banch got the ball into the hands of lively forwards Zac Clohesy (one goal), young gun James Auld (two) and speedster Ty Collison (two).
Hrovat was a class above and his superb ability to find possession of the footy at ease was on full display as he finished the match with a whopping 45 disposals.
“When the rain came we lost our structures and our half-forwards got too high and that allowed them to mop up across half-back with ease,” Wright said.
“That was something we addressed (at half-time); just maintain our structures at stoppages and forward of the footy and the boys were able to nail that. And also just a bit of a lift in grunt around the stoppages, once we addressed those we started to get better one-on-one options and managed to kick seven goals after half-time.
“There were plenty (of better players) today, but with such a young group it’s really our leaders who stood up when the game was in the balance, they really led by example.
“As you said, Riordo down back, Qaude, Nath, Banchy through the middle, even Zac Clohesy up around half-forward, with his work-rate ... he certainly nailed it today.
“And our back six, Mason Pedretti is one of our unsung heroes. He had the job on Magro who is a classy player and I thought he did a really good job on him.”
The win was soured by the injury to gun talent Bowen Calogero, who was wearing a moon boot due to an ankle injury sustained in the first half.
Defender Rylen Damianopoulos was unable to see out the contest due to a corked hip.