Whether it’s labelled a lapse, lull or slip in concentration, Shepparton United’s backsliding start cost it dearly against Mansfield at the weekend.
The Demons only mustered two majors in stark contrast to the opposition’s 14 during the first half, allowing the Eagles to fire out and post the biggest score of any side in the competition this season.
Though United was able to stop the rot in the second half, Mansfield’s forwards already had a taste for blood and eventually ran out 25.14 (164) to 8.5 (53) victors on their home track as Cam Arnold booted nine goals on his return to the side.
“We played 20 minutes of football in a 120-minute game, and you can’t play 20 minutes and expect to keep it a close contest,” United coach Duane Hueston said.
“We spoke about it a bit after the game, our first half was poor, but then we came out after half-time and to our boys’ credit they really had that want and desire to do better and be better.
“That was pleasing, they came out and had a bit of a crack.”
Though Hueston admitted United was poor at the beginning, there was no doubting the Eagles’ thirst going forward.
A replenished Mansfield welcomed Patrick Marks, Arnold and other key talents back from its big loss to Mooroopna the week before, and a whiz-bang first quarter had the host up 33-2 at the change of ends.
The Eagles backed it up with an astounding 9.6 second term, while the Demons split the sticks just twice, sparking a reaction from Hueston’s charges.
A 34-25 third quarter went the way of the Eagles and, though Mansfield also won the final quarter, the United leader was impressed on how his side tuned back in following a dour start.
“There was times where we moved the ball really well, had some great team play and ended up with a goal,” Hueston said.
“But then we only did that for a limited amount of time ― they’re just things that we need to get better at, we need to be able to do that for longer, and at the moment we’re only doing that in short spurts.
“I think Sheldon Bogdan and Adam Pigatto were really good throughout the day, they never stopped trying and were always pretty ferocious attacking the ball, in and under.
“Mitch Trevaskis went down back and played a super game after half-time.”
As well as Bogdan, Pigatto and Trevaskis, Hueston commended Lewis Stanton (four goals) and Brodie Telford, who debuted in the ruck for the Demons.
Mansfield was best served by Arnold, Dirk Koenen and Lachie Christopher, while Brett Mahoney and Marks finished the day with three goal hauls.