After starting the season on a 6-0 run, Shepparton’s Saturday afternoon Goulburn Valley Football League clash against Benalla presented itself as a banana peel game.
Heading into the match as heavy favourites at home, the Bears were keen to start well and deter any chance of a shock victory for the Saints.
The match began with a bit of an arm wrestle as neither side registered a score for the first 10 minutes before Shepparton’s Ned Byrne slotted through the opener.
Each quarter of the game followed a similar recipe: The Bears scored 22, 21, 30 and 21 across the four terms, while the Saints kicked eight points in every quarter except the last when they only managed two behinds.
Shepparton was able to cruise to a comfortable victory in the end, winning the match 13.16 (94) to 3.8 (26).
One key performance indicator for Shepparton this season has been the spread of goal-kickers the Bears have had in each match, and on Saturday afternoon, their diversity in front of the big sticks was on display.
Shepparton forwards Joel Brett and Trent Herbert slotted three each, while Zaydan Leocata and Lewis McShane kicked two apiece.
On Sunday, Bears co-coach Ted Lindon said he was pleased with how Shepparton’s forward line has continued to develop and evolve as the season has progressed.
“We certainly like the look of an even spread of goal-kickers,” he said.
“I think Joel Brett, Luke Smith and Trent (Herbert) they are always kicking twos, threes and fours opposed to last year when we were pretty much Trent Herbert or bust with our goal-kicking options.
“From a coaching (perspective), it’s pleasing that we have multiple players hitting the scoreboard, as it gives us a dynamic look.”
Shepparton’s other player-coach, Xavier Stevenson, and star midfielder Luke Smith headlined a group of Bears who were missing from the senior line-up on Saturday.
The fact that Shepparton was missing some of its gun players meant there was an opportunity to test the squad’s depth, with debutant Oscar Lambourn making the jump from under-18s to seniors against the Saints.
Lindon said it was pleasing to see the side still perform strongly, even without some of the Bears’ star players.
“Our depth was tested yesterday and proved that we have got significant and impressive depth in (our squad) now at the club,” he said.
“Oscar didn’t miss a trick.
“Sometimes when a debutant plays, they either look at home or they don’t, and he certainly looked at home.
“On top of that, he is just a really good kid who comes from a Shepparton family background, with his old man (Mark Lambourn) having coached the club and there was a nice touch with a jumper presentation before the game.”
The 11-goal victory over Benalla means that Shepparton has retained top spot on the ladder and remains the only undefeated side in the league this season.
Aside from the fact that the Bears’ depth was tested, Lindon was impressed with the other aspect of the win: Shepparton’s ability to adapt and change how they played across the four quarters.
“Our ability to tinker with our ball movement throughout the game was pleasing,” he said.
“Adam Decicco was huge, and, to be honest, he has been huge for large parts of his time at ‘Shepp’ as he’s very consistent.
“He produces that sort of output every week.
“Some of wing rotation was really good in Tanner Madigan, Lachy Rumbiolo and Mitch Fleming and the ruckman Ash Holland was pretty influential as well.
Next weekend, the Goulburn Valley Football League has a bye due to the interleague match against the Ovens and Murray League on May 25 at Deakin Reserve.
Lindon said his side will train on Tuesday but will give the players and staff some time away from the club over the weekend to freshen up before the Bears’ round eight clash against Tatura.