Shepparton's Ashley Holland and Benalla's Mark Marriott contest the ruck. Photo: Rechelle Zammit.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
As the Goulburn Valley League has been spruiking on its own social media channels this season, sometimes the scoreboard doesn’t tell the full story.
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That was the case at least in Benalla’s clash with senior football ladder leader and premiership favourite Shepparton on Saturday at Deakin Reserve, with the final margin belying what was a competitive first half in which the Saints held their own.
While the result reads an 8.9 (57) to 18.17 (125) defeat for Benalla, the Saints kept the Bears honest up until half time, before ultimately the class of the established Shepparton side shone through to extend the margin in the latter stages of the contest.
From the opening ball up, the young Saints showed no signs of being overawed by their highly fancied opponent, attacking the ball with endeavour and booting the opening major of the contest via James Martin – playing just his second game of senior football - in lightning fashion.
Shepparton found a period of ascendancy to register the next five scores for a return of 2.3, though the Saints would find the lead again shortly after as Tom Riley snared consecutive majors to put the visitors four points up on the cusp of quarter time.
A late goal to the home side, however, meant Benalla trailed at the first break, though only just, behind 3.3 (21) to 3.5 (23) as the teams entered the huddles.
The second term was again competitive as Sam Begley responded to Shepparton’s opening goal of the quarter with his first major of the afternoon to keep his side within a kick, as the Saints refused to let Shepparton have anything easy.
But as the quarter wore on, the Bears slowly but surely grew their advantage, putting through three consecutive majors to lead by as much as 23 points, and while the Saints fought back with the final three scores of the first half, Tyler McGregor’s goal was the only major in the flurry.
Entering the rooms at the main break, the Saints were well and truly in the contest, trailing 5.6 (36) to Shepparton’s 7.9 (51), though patches of dominance from the Bears had threatened to break the game open at stages.
The second half started in promising fashion, however, as Tom Riley booted the opening major of the third term, and his third of the afternoon, to cut the deficit to single figures, and with a renewed intensity, the Saints were up and about.
Shepparton's Ashley Holland and Benalla's Mark Marriott contest the ruck.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Benalla's Sam Begley kicks one of his two goals for the afternoon.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Benalla's Kevin Maroney tries to inspire his team during the loss.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Benalla's Sam Begley tries to get his side back into proceedings.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Benalla's Jack Fullager takes a sliding mark.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton's Kade O'Dwyer evades the Benalla defence.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton's Jayden Gagliardi reels in a mark.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton's Liam Duguid looks to control a loose ball.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Unfortunately for Benalla, the polished Shepparton outfit had another gear to go to, and in a devastating 15-minute period to end the third quarter, not only denied the Saints any further score, but piled on 4.5 of its own to push the margin to 38 points by the final change.
Overturning a 43-81 deficit against the league’s best side proved too tall an order in the final term for the Saints, though, as the Bears were able to run out the contest that little bit better to record a 68-point victory.
Colby Mathieson was named Benalla’s best in the loss ahead of Begley (two goals), while Nick Mellington was industrious through the middle alongside ruckman Mark Marriott, while Henry Hill rounded out the most influential.
Riley (three goals) and McGregor (two goals) were the other multiple goalkickers for the Saints in defeat, though one which showed marked improvement from their previous encounter with the Bears which ended in a triple-figure loss.
Benalla will enjoy a week off due to the GVL’s split round, before tackling the final fortnight of the season against Tatura at home and Shepparton Swans away.
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