Hosting the top four Eagles at Violet Town Recreation reserve, the Towners were competitive early, however were ultimately outclassed after quarter time, going down 10.7 (67) to 30.16 (196).
It was a strong opening term from the home side against the high fancied Shepp East, though, with the Towners scoring 4.2 (26) to keep the margin within single digits at the first break, trailing the Eagles by nine points after the visitors booted 5.5 (35), but looked more than up for the fight with plenty of intent shown.
The gulf in class between the two sides soon became apparent, though, as while the Towners were valiant in their efforts after the first break, they lacked the polish of the premiership contending Eagles, who continued to kick away as the game progressed.
Scoring one behind in the second term to the visitors’ 10.4, the Towners headed into the rooms down 27 to 99, and gap widened further after the main break.
Scoring 3.2 in both the third and fourth quarters, the Towners continued to scrap, however proved no match for the might of Shepp East, with the Eagles booting a massive 15.7 in the second half to win by an eventual 129 points.
Hayes led the charge for the Towners in the loss, showing his obvious class in a best afield display, while co-captains Nathan Abley and Ryan Jennings each booted a goal to be named in the best.
Tyler Foster, Mitchell Saunders and John Woodcock were also among the better performers for the Towners, while Sam Leigh booted three goals as the only other multiple goal kicker for the home side.
The Towners will be hopeful of bouncing back and securing a second win of the campaign this weekend, though, when they travel to Merrigum to take on the winless Bulldogs.
It proved a tough outing on court for Violet Town in the A grade netball clash, too, with the Towners coming up against the might of the undefeated reigning premier in Shepparton East.
Having started the season strongly to sit 4-2 after round six, the Towners have been on the slide ever since, having lost six straight games prior to the weekend’s clash to tumble out of finals contention.
There would be no big upset at the weekend to end the streak, either, as the Eagles proved far too strong, the Towners eventually going down 23-65 to suffer a seventh consecutive defeat, while the Eagles conversely added a 31st straight win to their record, having now not lost since 2024.
The Towners will look to finish their campaign strongly, starting this weekend against Merrigum, before facing Longwood and Avenel to round out the year.
