A youthful, determined Shepparton side showed glimpses of things to come on Saturday afternoon, putting on a performance they can be proud of in a 19.14 (128) to 7.6 (48) defeat to table-topper Echuca.
A spirited Shepparton side made life difficult for the ladder-leaders, and an 80-point defeat at Deakin Reserve has given Bears coach Ted Lindon plenty to be pleased about when compared to the 156-point drubbing at Victoria Park earlier this year.
“It sounds funny when you consider the 80-point margin, but I thought it was one of our more impressive efforts of the year,” Lindon said.
“Our overall intensity on the ball was great and our defensive 50 ball movement was impressive at times against their press.
“In terms of growth, we had 20 to 25 more inside 50s; our ability to move the ball with more method and urgency was great.”
A narrow first term had the Bears hang tough with the usually fast-starting Murray Bombers, keeping the margin to just 13-points.
But Echuca would start to flex its muscle at stoppage after the first change, booting five goals to three to extend the lead to 31-points at the main break.
Jordan McGregor was at the forefront of Shepparton’s fightback, while Rhiley Lau, Jed Warrin, Miles Rowlands and Tyler Larkin contributed strongly.
“Individually a lot of guys were impressive, despite it being an 80-point defeat,” Lindon said.
“There’s lots to take out from it and lots to learn from, a lot of our guys were on song but Jordy in particular stepped up and Rhiley Lau was great.”
The game got away from the home side after the half, as the Murray Bombers tightened their grip on the game with six-goals-to-two.
Four goals in the final term to the Bears’ four behinds would put the game on ice.
Echuca ruck Liam Tenace marked his return to the side with a stunning six-goal haul and best-on-ground performance, dominating forward alongside spearheads Daniel Willis (4) and Ruory Kirkby (3).
The Murray Bombers' 15th win consecutive sees them all but seal the GVL minor premiership ahead of a penultimate clash with Shepparton United this weekend.