Tatura’s Chris “Buffa” Ryan received a guard of honour from both clubs prior to the match, running through a banner ahead of the double-ton milestone, while Shepparton’s Mitchell “Doug” Brett reached the same feat at Deakin Reserve, a month after recognition for the milestone that included interleague games.
“He’s one of the most-loved figures within the footy club,” Bears co-coach Xavier Stevenson said.
“He’s been skipper for nearly 120-odd of those 200 games, so he’s been a great leader and a general down half-back.”
It was the Bears that ran away with the contest early, scoring 12 times in an opening quarter of territory control, as Bulldog Nicholas Watt sneaked the club’s only major to trail 5.7 (37) to 1.1 (7) at the first break.
A tight turning snap in the contested clinches of the goal line saw Lewis McShane open the Bears’ account in the second term, before an intercept by senior debutant Spencer Sharp opened up a link of handballs to get Xavier Lewis on the board.
Eight individual goal-scorers came from the first eight goals, before Jake Watts nabbed his second just before red time to extend Shepparton’s lead to 54 points.
Watts tallied a third with a minute to go before the half-time break, taking the Bears’ advantage to 11.10 (76) to 1.4 (10).
Stevenson hit the scoreboard for the Bears after the main break, following five minutes of contested action that saw a handful of forward 50 entries either way.
Tatura’s Ben Darrou kicked a banana from a set shot to provide the second goal for the Bulldogs, but the scoring severely dried up in the third quarter.
A World Cup inspired volley from Luke Smith had the crowd talking, but the effort went wide, although Shepparton would nab its second of the quarter soon after, 19 minutes into the contest, through a snap by Lewis.
Craftiness from Tatura’s Watt found Jess Petherick 25 out on a slight angle, with the long-sleeve donning Bulldog kicking truly to halve the contest in the term.
Tackling pressure ramped up from both sides in the final term, but fatigue setting in also allowed for run and carry, although a slippery Deakin deck had foot skills lacking, taking 14 minutes before the first major was scored.
But the game was said and done, Shepparton holding its grip on the pole position as it secured its 10th win of 2026, 16.17 (113) to 3.8 (26).
“I thought we started really well, we would have had 35 to 40 tackles in the first half which is what we build our game off of, so that was really pleasing,” Stevenson said.
“Tat had moments in the second half where we probably lacked a little in defence, and our contest was just down a little bit, and to be honest, fundamentally we missed a few easy targets – but overall, I’m really happy.”
Connor Fleming and Watts both kicked three goals for Shepparton as the Bears recorded 10 individual goal-scorers across the match.
Sharp made his senior debut after time in the thirds and Murray Bushrangers program, with Stevenson praising the teenage talent post-game.
“He was terrific today, he played his role really well,” he said.
“We gave him exposure on the wing and a little bit in our back six as well and he had some really good moments.
“He looked really composed and was clean.
“We love being able to blood some of these new players, we’re blessed with the talent we have through the thirds at the moment.
“He’s the fifth under-18 we’ve been able to give exposure to this year and we’re going to try give a few more as well.”
Shepparton takes on Seymour in round 12, the Lions coming off a 22-point win over Kyabram on Saturday, while Tatura will play Mooroopna, looking to avenge its round two loss to the Cats.
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