Mansfield is beginning to see a shift, one which appears to be for the better, after changing its approach a month ago.
Eagles coach Chad Owens didn’t divulge too much about the change ― he’s smarter than that.
However, he did say while the mid-season reassessment did not produce results straight away, after tucking Benalla into bed by a 79-point margin on Saturday there’s a palpable sense of enjoyment around the club.
It all starts with the players, whose smiles could be witnessed from all corners of Benalla Showgrounds in the round 14 Goulburn Valley League clash.
Ironically, one of the smallest blokes on the park had the biggest ear-to-ear grin.
Billy Dunstan, who Owens jokingly stated “weighs about nine kilos”, was a late in to make his debut for the side, and when he found himself a goal there was a heartwarming moment which followed.
“He kicked his first goal in senior footy and everyone on the ground got to him ― it was a great moment actually,” Owens said.
“I think it was what our season needed.
“We’re looking forward to every Saturday ... (the players) look like they’re having fun which is the most important part of footy.”
If having fun is the most important aspect, winning goes part and parcel and Mansfield’s dismantling of Benalla was a prime example of it.
The Eagles were consistent across four quarters as they restricted the Saints to one goal in each of the first three terms before nullifying any scoring influence in the final stanza.
Defender Dirk Koenen was the mastermind behind the shackling as he confined ex-AFL star Jarrad Waite to one goal, and was “outrageously good” in the eyes of Owens.
And he was not alone during the 15.12 (102) to 3.5 (23) victory.
“I thought we played really well as a team, it was really pleasing,” Owens said.
“We went over there with a pretty clear goal about what we wanted to achieve out the game both offensively and defensively, and we thought we were able to execute that really well.
“There were certainly times where the game wasn’t on our terms, but even when that happened we were able to restrict their ability to score which was good.”
Owens also heaped plaudits on five-goal man Ben Christopher, midfielders Brett Mahoney and Frazer Dale as well as half-back flanker Tom Dunstan with all 22 of his men executing their roles to a tee.
“We’re playing really good role-based footy,” he said.
“About a month ago we changed how we wanted to play, it’s worked out really well for us at the moment.
“We’re really happy with our last month of footy, even though we’ve only won two and lost two, the signs have been really good.”
In the Benalla ranks, Fintan Brazil toiled away and gained the admiration of his peers as did Jordan Wolff.