Keeping Benalla scoreless for the entire first half, the Eagles’ back six, led by Jack Hutchins, were working in perfect harmony as they made up for a second-half fadeout against Shepparton last week.
Up forward it was the ‘Scram’ show, with key protagonists Ben Christopher (Scruff) and Cameron Arnold (Cam) booting 11 goals between them as they continue to develop into one of the competition’s most exciting goal-kicking duos.
Mansfield’s 11th victory of the Goulburn Valley League season, Owens said it was pleasing to take care of business on the road and deliver such a strong response after that disappointing second half against Shepparton.
“We had a really strong focus coming into the game about how we wanted to be defending, and to keep them scoreless for the first half was an exceptional result,” Owens said.
“The boys were pretty dirty on themselves after the way they finished the game last week, so during the week they really challenged themselves to put in a four-quarter performance and to their credit they did exactly that.
“Overall it was a great game of footy from our guys.”
With sunshine bearing down on the Benalla Showgrounds, Mansfield made the most of the perfect conditions with a scintillating opening term.
Dominating through the midfield courtesy of veteran Jimmy Herridge and young gun Patrick Marks, the Eagles put through six first-quarter goals to immediately take the spring out of Benalla’s step.
With a percentage boost on its mind, Mansfield continued its dominance into the second term, again keeping the Saints scoreless, as the scoreboard read 53-0 at the main change.
Benalla would show some fight in the third term, as star forward Jarrad Waite worked his way into the game with three majors and a number of strong contested grabs.
But at the other end it was Christopher (five goals) and Arnold (six goals) that stole the show, helping the Eagles pile on seven final quarter goals to see the margin reach triple figures.
“They were really good, they’ve come up with the name ‘Scram’ as a bit of a double duet, and they certainly put on a show yesterday,” Owens said of his goal-kicking aces.
“It’s not just the goals, it is all the other stuff that they did, Ben does a lot of the leg work up the ground and then Cam is obviously that big focal point closer to goal — so to see them get a bit of reward yesterday was very pleasing.
“The way those two our competing is good for us, but then we have Frazer Dale in our forward line who was also excellent and little Will Foster as that front and centre type who kicked three as well.
“We’ve got a really good spread up there at the moment and it is starting to show.”
Mansfield will enjoy a week off before welcoming Mooroopna to the High Country in what is set to be a vital clash in round 16.
Benalla makes the daunting trip to Kyabram in a fortnight’s time as it hopes to finish the season on a competitive note.
