Shepparton stays perfect after wind-affected Goulburn Valley League mismatch with Tatura

Shepparton has maintained its perfect record atop the Goulburn Valley League, as many expected, at the expense of an undermanned and comprehensively outplayed Tatura side.

Ash Holland was the commandeering force for which there has been practically no answer in 2024, though against an unusual ruck opponent in Tim Wilson.

Such magnet-moving has been the unavoidable cause of an incredible injury crisis at the Bulldogs, with at least three players down for the count in 2024.

That said, Shepparton had the wind at its back in a firmly one-way opening term that saw the under-siege home side fall victim to violent weather-affected ball trajectory on any attempted clearance.

Finding nine unanswered marks inside 50 during that opening term was, obviously, pivotal as Trent Herbert and Joel Brett took turns inflicting punishment on the scoreboard.

Naturally, the question at the first change was how Tatura might respond with the wind advantage in the second term and there was at least some joy when Jhdara Jones put the host on the board early.

All in all, it was a far more competitive quarter as Shepparton dealt with the adverse breeze, but the Bears’ 49-point advantage at the main break appeared more than comfortable enough to seal the deal.

Though clearance and disposal numbers were remarkably similar in the third term, normal business resumed on the scoreboard as Luke Smith piled on a hat-trick of majors and Herbert contributed his game-high fifth of the day.

Eighty-two points to the good at the final change, Shepparton had no intent of letting up there, almost doubling Tatura’s possession tally in an utterly ruthless final half-hour.

The Bears benefitted from no fewer than three goals from within or adjacent to the goalsquare as the Bulldogs totally collapsed defensively, ultimately surrendering the triple-figure margin as Shepparton powered home, 21.17 (143) to 4.5 (29).

Now, back to the aforementioned three Bears — Holland, Smith and Adam De Cicco.

All three have received their statistical moments in the sun this year already, but in combining for 480 ranking points, 49 contested possessions and 28 tackles, this trio will find ways to consistently shine in nail-biters or blowouts.

That said, victorious Shepparton co-coach Ted Lindon reserved most of his praise for more unsung heroes on the day.

“They probably might not get the league’s three votes, but I loved the game of guys like Jhett Cooper from a coaching point of view,” Lindon said.

“The penny’s really dropped for ‘Coops’, and it’s no accident. It’s all through his hard work.

“The Connor Flemings of the world have been really impressive for us, and Liam Duguid is always thinking team-first in the way he goes about it.

“Those aspects of our mindset are something we’ll continue to focus on.”

As for the overall output, there’s hardly much to complain about for the resurgent Bears.

“I was quite impressed with the ability to apply significant pressure, both at the source and on the spread,” Lindon said.

“Our ability to start well with the breeze and hit the scoreboard even against it, for a total of nearly 40 shots on goal, was a metric we put high emphasis on.

“It was really pleasing to see all that play out.”

Not to potentially spoil any GVL Data pieces this coming week, but one would be remiss not to touch on the pressure Lindon mentioned.

It is nothing short of astonishing to see a side that puts 29 more scoring shots on the board and get almost 50 more contested possessions also nearly double its opposition in the tackle count — but the Bears did just that (120-63).

This week shapes as an affair with plenty of intrigue as Shepparton gets set to welcome Kyabram, featuring new league goal-kicking leader Anthony Depasquale.

The upstart Bombers will take some stopping, but there has been no concern laid out over Depasquale’s form among the Bears contingent as yet.

“We know Anthony’s a great player, but in terms of Kyabram, we have a rich history and always have some great match-ups there,” Lindon said.

On the other end of the scale, Tatura coach Paul Barnard was forlorn in assessing the situation facing his side.

“When you play quality opposition, you’ll get exposed, and it’s tough at the moment,” Barnard said.

“We just have to get to training and get better; we can’t use injuries as an excuse.

“We just have to get back to kicks, marks and handballs, embrace the challenge next week (against Echuca) and get back on the horse.”

Tim Wilson, Curtis Ryan and Comanche Wells were named among the Bulldogs’ best on a despondent afternoon.