In a low-scoring thriller at Mansfield Recreation Reserve, a resurgent Benalla has clinched a second-straight Goulburn Valley League senior football victory off the back of an eight-goal-to-one second half to deny Mansfield in stunning scenes on Saturday night.
Facing a deficit of 29 points at the main break, the Saints rallied under lights in the second half to claim a brilliant 9.10 (64) to 6.12 (48) win, levelling their win-loss record at 2-2 following an 0-2 start to the season.
It didn’t quite look like Benalla’s night initially, though, as Mansfield dominated early, but would be left to rue early misses in the contest, kicking six behinds before finding the goals, although there was still a sense the Eagles were set to control the contest from start to finish.
A pair of majors from Nathan Buchanan and Harry Purcell saw Mansfield enter quarter-time ahead 2.7 (19) to 0.2 (2), boasting seven more scoring shots in the opening period.
In the second term, the Eagles continued to soar.
While Benalla was admirable in tightening its defence, Mansfield still found avenues to goal, and with far straighter kicking, increased the lead by 12 points to enjoy a comfortable buffer of 29 at the main break.
But following coach Nick Pearson’s speech in the sheds, the Saints came out a rejuvenated outfit.
The clubs locked horns across the opening twenty minutes of the term, but as red time closed in, the pendulum swung in favour of Benalla.
Benalla’s Michael Mummery reduced the margin to 23 points two minutes prior to added time, before skipper Chris Welsh snagged a major shortly after.
Mummery would prove decisive with ball in hand again, scoring his second and Benalla’s third in a row, before Mitchell Vasterink made it a five-point game at three-quarter-time.
While the Eagles had aimed to rebound following their round three loss to Seymour, Benalla’s scalp of Euroa had set the winning ways in motion for Pearson’s men.
It may have taken nearly twenty minutes to begin the chase, but in the fourth term, there was no slowing down the Saints’ scoring.
Mummery converted yet again, just two minutes into the last to hand Benalla its first lead all day, before two more goals sailed through to open up a 15-point advantage.
Mansfield key forward William Hogan replied but a minute and a half later the Saints would hit back, and hold on with grit to secure a 9.10 (64) to 6.12 (48) win.
Nick Warnock was named Benalla’s best in the win, the veteran defender once again reminded the competition of his class down back, while Welsh, David Mennen, Mummery and ruckman Mark Marriott rounded out the best.
Mummery led all comers in terms of scoring with three majors, the only multiple goal kicker for the Saints, although Ryley Ely, Kevin Maroney, Tyler McGregor, Patrick Warner, Welsh and Vasterink all hit the scoreboard with one each.
Benalla and Mansfield now share a 2-2 record and bookend a throng of clubs on the ladder – Mansfield fourth and Benalla ninth – to have earned eight points across the opening four rounds of the season.
Both clubs will look to break ahead of the pack with a win in round five, Mansfield travelling to Deakin Reserve to take on Shepparton United, while Benalla hosts Shepparton Swans at Benalla Showgrounds.
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