Sport
Shepparton Swans force the issue - again - with failed Goulburn Valley League comeback
How could it be that a sequel so closely mirrors the original?
That will be the question that lingers over Princess Park all week long after yet another close shave — ultimately, not close enough or with enough time to seal it.
The long trip to Mansfield looked a glum one for the Swans early, as the struggling Eagles burst out of the gate with the game’s first five scoring shots.
Matt Perry is a crucial man up front for the Swans and his early impact somewhat stemmed the tide, but Mansfield had done enough to lead at the first change.
In need of a spark after a faltering start to 2024, Mansfield found itself briefly pegged back to parity early in the second term before a game-breaking sequence of six straight majors put a stake through the Swans.
So it appeared at the time, at least.
Perry stepped up to save face right before the long break and, once again, the Swans came to play once their deficit neared five goals.
Steele Simpson set the tone as the pressure rapidly lifted, with his three goals proving pivotal as the Swans closed to within single digits twice before Mansfield could get anything back on its own terms.
Three straight Eagles behinds to open the final term threatened to be their undoing once Perry notched his third to make it a 10-point game.
Neither side appeared capable of putting the game away with a flurry of behinds exchanged before Nathan Buchanan’s fourth goal of the day appeared to ice it early in time-on.
Mark Kovacevic ensured this would not come easily with a pair of vital late goals that brought it back to an oh-so-familiar three-point gap.
That was where it remained for the second straight week, though, with the Eagles escaping ignominy courtesy of a 15.9 (99) to 14.12 (96) win.
The Swans have struggled in both first halves this year and against a refreshed Seymour this weekend at Princess Park, it’s hard to imagine there being any second chances for turning up late.
A GVL Data analysis earlier this week asked Jedd Wright’s side if a one-quarter glimpse against Euroa could be extrapolated over four and the question remains.
Meanwhile, Mansfield ventures north to Tatura this week to face a Bulldogs side held to five goals against Euroa.
Tatura has marked itself a dangerous side following its famous round one win over Seymour and the Eagles can ill-afford to slip again after working hard to notch their first four points.