It may have taken all of four quarters of football, but Mooroopna was able to shake off Shepparton Swans in a “positive” hit-out according to Cats mentor John Lamont.
Mooroopna had plenty of chances to put the gallant Swans to bed early in the round 13 contest at Princess Park, but it took a barnstorming seven-goal final term to chalk up the 15.18 (108) to 10.2 (62) triumph and claim the Blue Ribbon Shield.
Forward maestro Chris Nield booted five majors, to overtake teammate Jackson Trengove in the Goulburn Valley League’s leading goal-kicking, while silky user Kydan Atkinson had one of his “best appearances” in the blue and white hoops with three goals.
Defender-turned-forward Ben Hicks was judged best-on and was awarded the Blue Ribbon Shield Medal for the second time in his career ― following his first medal in 2016.
Consistent Swans on-baller Zac Banch was again influential, while Tom Preece and Murray Bushranger Joeve Cooper rounded out the top performers for the hosts.
Lamont praised the Swans for their efforts in the game, one they led at each of the first two breaks before Mooroopna got on top in the second half.
“We couldn’t shake them off. I thought they were quite impressive; they were committed, played with dare, ran hard and we just couldn’t shake them,” he said.
“They were accurate in front of goals, we were inaccurate, we could have put them away earlier, but full credit to them they didn’t let up. It was a good tussle and I was pleased with how we absorbed the pressure and kept focus.
“We kicked the first in the fourth and got out to 13 points, but they replied instantly to bring it back to seven points, but we snuffed it out after that.
“There’s still things to improve on ... I thought it was a positive result.”
Mooroopna had a “strong even spread of contributors” in the triumph, with Lamont pleased with the efforts of Daniel Johnstone, Dom Gugliotti, Hicks and Atkinson.
Young gun and Victoria Country representative Coby James made a rare appearance and the teenager was lauded for his decision making with ball in hand.
“We weren’t expecting him to play and we were lucky that the last game of the national champs was a dead-rubber and they wanted to give a few others a test at that level,” Lamont said.
“He had a mix of playing inside and outside and I thought he made some good decisions and used the ball well. He was instrumental for us in getting back on top.
“Hicksy had a good game in the forward half, he took some good marks and had a positive impact.”