Shepparton Swans lived the expression “brothers in arms” literally on Saturday.
The Swans fielded three sets of brothers for their match against Mansfield at Princess Park in round 13 of Goulburn Valley League.
The brothers were the Racheles (Liam and Nathan), the Clohesys (Zac and Max) and the Grumleys (Flynn and Mitch).
All six players contributed to the Swans’ 25-point victory over the Eagles, with Max Clohesy (25 disposals, nine clearances and 11 inside 50s) and Nathan Rachele (three goals, two goal assists and nine score involvements) starring for the red and white.
Swans coach Jedd Wright said the number of siblings playing on the same side was indicative of the culture they had built at Princess Park.
“We always push the notion of being a really family-orientated club,” Wright said.
“Having all three sets of brothers playing (demonstrates that).
“There are probably another couple of sets of brothers that, over the next year or two, will be playing a lot of senior footy together.”
Wright believes the number of siblings that have come through the Swans in recent years is a sign of the strong connection between juniors and seniors at Princess Park.
“These aren’t players that are coming into the club in the last year; these are kids who have done the whole junior program,” he said.
“A lot of their parents played at Swans.
“It is a culture that has been building for the last four or five years.”
Five rounds remain in the Goulburn Valley League football season before finals and the Swans are still in the race, sitting one win and percentage out of the top six.
Wright’s side faces a tough run home, with matches against top-five sides Echuca, Shepparton, Mooroopna and Euroa.
However, the Swans are in form — two wins in a row — and are a dark horse heading into the business end of the season.
If the Swans can snag a couple of wins against these top-quality sides and get on a hot run, who knows, maybe by the end of the season, a flag could create 22 brothers in arms.