GVL | Mooroopna teens stand tall, Cluch TV joins the party

By Aydin Payne

Jun 23, 2022

The upcoming round of Goulburn Valley League football action brings plenty of excitement both on and off the field.

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Round 11 sees the start of McPherson Media Group’s latest sport offering in GVL Data, which provides readers statistics of each senior football game.

But this weekend also presents a new venture for the GVL in its partnership with Cluch TV.

Cluch is a live streaming and data platform that is available to watch across the globe via the Cluch app.

On Saturday, the A-grade netball and senior football matches between Mooroopna and Shepparton will be streamed via Cluch, along with the football match between Shepparton United and Shepparton Swans.

Sunday’s two senior football fixtures, Rochester at home to Kyabram and Seymour against Mansfield, will be broadcast on the Cluch app.

Mooroopna v Shepparton

Mooroopna may enter this clash as heavy favourites but Cats coach John Lamont understands Shepparton poses a major threat to his side.

His side lost to the Bears by slim margins in 2021 and it has shown glimpses against top-six outfits in 2022.

“We were pleased to get back on the winners’ list last weekend (against Swans),” Lamont said.

“They’re all important games for us now, we know that. I reckon they (Shepparton) will be fired up after that close loss last weekend to Benalla.”

The Cats sported a young side last weekend, led by teenage debutant Kobie Issell and inexperienced defender Ben Woods.

Issell gathered 11 disposals in the gritty win, while Woods had 18 touches, four tackles and five rebound 50s.

“I thought Kobie acquitted himself nicely to senior footy, he didn’t look out of place,” Lamont said.

“He had plenty of composure and he didn’t panic with ball in hand.

“Ben, in only his third game, won the best-on medal and he had a lot of positive impacts around the contest. For him to get the medal was great recognition for his efforts.”

Lamont expected Jack Williams (shoulder) and Kai Madgwick (knee) would miss the clash, while Matt Deane and Isaac Dowling would return to the line-up.

Shepparton United v Shepparton Swans

Two of the Goulburn Valley League’s youngest outfits will go head-to-head on Saturday at Deakin Reserve.

The Swans went down at the last hurdle against Mooroopna, despite their dominance in midfield.

Andrew Riordan’s charges ended up with 40 clearances, led by BJ Squire (31 disposals and five clearances), Ty Collison (27 and seven) and Zac Banch (22 and five) — up from their season average of 34.

“Our stats show each week that we’re thereabouts with each team, but we are lacking in our efficiency by foot and contested marks, since we are a smaller side,” Riordan said.

“Mooroopna smashed us in round two so I was really happy with the boys’ overall effort and pleased with the pressure around the contest. It was a real focus for us to be more ferocious around the stoppages.”

For Shepparton United, coach Paul Serra expects Swans to play on and use the ball quickly on Saturday.

“Obviously playing a different opposition is a help, Echuca hasn’t lost a game, we were happy with how we played, got through their systems and had 16 scoring shots,” Serra said.

“I think the Swans will move the ball quickly, they’re a fast speedy young side like us, we expect them to be ‘go, go, go’ and move it as quick as they can — they looked good against Mooroopna.”

Charlie Di Stefano returns after suspension, while Shane Sali is touch and go after he pulled up sore.

Euroa v Tatura

Euroa will have a gun inclusion for Saturday’s home clash against Tatura.

Magpies coach Scott Rowan revealed Ryan Pendlebury would play his second game for the club, as he tosses up his playing options ahead of the upcoming clearance cut-off date.

“Ryan is back in for us this week. He’s still deciding on what his playing options are for the rest of the season,” Rowan said.

“He’s been really active in the group chats and he’s a really top fella. We also welcome back Jayden (Gleeson) who is a bit of an X-factor for us in the midfield. He can be that defensive role in the midfield, which gives us another option.

“I expect them (Tatura) to come out firing.”

For the visitors, three injuries in last weekend’s game has been followed by illness to a couple more senior regulars.

“We have got a lot of sore boys at the moment and a few who are sick,” Tatura coach Paul Kirby said.

“There’s not much we can do but concentrate on what we can control. We’re disappointed with the effort after quarter-time (against Seymour), our tackles and pressure were down so we made that a focus during the week.”