Change-heavy Shepparton pushes Mansfield aside after slow start

The Eagles came flying out of the blocks and led most of the first quarter, but Shepparton soon steadied.

A goal-heavy third quarter followed a strong second term by Shepparton, leading Tracey Brereton’s side to its third win on the spin which nails down its spot in Goulburn Valley League A-grade finals.

“We always knew Mansfield were going to be tough, they always put out a really good performance against us,” Brereton said.

“Once we settled in and understood what we had to do, I think the scoreline probably indicates the way we went.”

Missing Sophie Hanrahan and Caitlin Hill from the previous round, Shepparton swung Tanya Holland in at the attacking end and Ashley Cullen at the other.

Mansfield’s side was settled and looked so as it matched the Bears at 13-13 by quarter-time.

Then the host kicked into gear.

While they didn’t completely strangle Mansfield’s supply after the first break the Bears grew in confidence around the ring and put on 15 goals to the Eagles’ nine.

Holland went on to shoot 19 on her own in the third term and, with Tanner Edwards running the show in centre, Shepparton had put the game to bed a quarter early.

Mansfield goalers Meg Mahoney and Nelle Cousins were starved of opportunity throughout the third quarter and, though this improved slightly in the final exchange, Shepparton would hold on to a convincing 29-goal triumph.

Brereton praised her side’s ability to win at all costs, citing the team’s perseverance as key amongst rolling changes each week.

“It’s been tough, we’ve had people in and out all year and not just out for bits of netball, but injuries as well,” she said.

“But to see them go out there and still get the job done with young kids, older kids, some B-grade players ― it makes me really proud of what we’ve built at the club.

“I think if we’re on and we’re happening we can probably play some really good netball, but if we’re not on, regardless of who we have out there, we can play some really poor netball.

“I think it’s a real mindset thing for us at the moment.”

Brereton also lauded the performances of Edwards, Holland and Ash Cann during the win.

At Euroa, the Magpies effectively ended Rochester’s finals hopes with one fell swoop.

The Tigers needed a win to keep a tether on sixth, but were tossed aside 63-42 by the ladder leader.

And in the other game of the split round, Echuca bounced back from the previous week’s loss wih a resounding win over Benalla.

The Murray Bombers toppled the Saints by 41 goals on the road, moving four points clear of Shepparton.