From all reports the Kyabram v Benalla game over at Ky on Saturday must have been a real beautie. Benalla had 19 scoring shots 9.10 (64) to Ky's 20 scores 7.13 (57) - Ky were coming off a 6 day break too remember, having played at home the Sunday previous when they smashed Shepp United by 95 points which you would think was a terrific preparation for Benalla; but obviously Benalla hung tough. It seems that 90% of this game was contested between the respective half forward and half back lines going by the scores. The scoreboard shows Benalla were in front at each change - up by 7 points at 1/4 time, 16 points at 1/2 time, 9 points at 3/4 time which was the final margin. Nick WARNOCK kicked 4 for the Saints; Paul NEWMAN kicked 3 for the Bombers. The Saints named tough as nails Will MARTINELLO and their inspirational coach Luke MORGAN as their best players - the Bombers named Liam OGDEN and Jordan WILLIAMS as their best. Could this defeat hurt the Ky psyche? Why? Because on May 31st over at Benalla, Ky were in front of the Saints by 35 points at 3/4 time where nearly everyone at the ground (except the 21 Benalla boys) thought the Bombers would get the points. In that exillerating last 28 minutes or thereabouts Benalla kicked 7 goals 2 behinds to Ky's one solitary goal meaning Benalla got up and won by 3 points. Everyone is touting it to be a Benalla and Ky grand-final and they may be right but you can back it in that the Shepparton Swans will be thereabouts and have a big spanner to throw into the works.
Can the Saints go through the Home & Away undefeated? Could they be Premiers and Champions? Benalla's next five opponents to round off the Home & Away should have the Saints starting off pretty short favourites - they have Shepp United this week at home then home again to Shepp the next week for Round 15 - then away to Mansfield, away to Euroa (under lights on August 23rd ??? and then for Round 18 home to Seymour.
The Shepparton Swans were ahead of Rochy all day at Princess Park; 8 points at 1/4 time, 2 goals at 1/2 time, 27 points at 3/4 time and have won by 33 points - 16.8 (104) to the Tigers 10.11 (71) Justin MADDERN and Andrew RIORDAN both kicked 4 goals for the Swans; Kane ANTONOWICZ kicked 3 and Quade JOHNSTONE kicked 2. Daniel LOVICK played on Grant WEEKS and kept him to 4 but Tigers coach Peter WHITE was critical of his players delivery to the big fella who with his 4 goals is now sitting on 67 goals after 13 Rounds to be 8 clear of Saad SAAD from Seymour. Mitch BELL and Jamason DANIELS were named the Swans best players as they now go to 2nd on the ladder one game clear of Kyabram. Ash WATSON and James GLEADHILL were named the Tigers better players.
Shepparton United were terrible at Deakin Reserve against Tatura who could have and should have won by over 100 points. The Bulldogs had 36 scoring shots 15.21 to the Demons 15 scoring shots (7.8) Tatura would not have had a passenger although some of their better players had a bit of a quiet day probably because they were not challenged. On the other hand it was near impossible to find a United player who got the better of his opponent and who could be happy with his game. By joves Tat are going to miss Paul KIRBY and Linc WELLINGTON when and if they hang up the boots - two champions of the game who always give their all.
Congratulations to the Shepparton boys who would have enjoyed their trip home from Mansfield. The Eagles were hurt with late withdrawals of David CLARKE and Matt STORER while Shepp took full advantage and rammed home a 34 point win 13.11 (89) to 8.7 (55). Ash HOLLAND and Rhys O'SULLIVAN were named the Bears best whereas Harry RIEWOLDT and Ben FAGAN were named as the Eagles best.
Echuca recorded their 4th win for the year with an 8 point win over the crooked Magpies from Euroa. Coach Nathan GILLILAND kicked 2 for the Maggies but as the score will show it seems the Magpies have kicked themselves out of a win - final score being Echuca 9.7 (61) to Euroa 6.17 (53) - 16 scoring shots to 23!
Saad SAAD kicked 5 for the Lions down at Seymour to help knock off Mooroopna by 7 goals - this is an excellent win by the Lions as some pundits would have you believe the Cats were going to win and win well but with Paul COLBERT back playing along with Jason COLE, Hughie ROBERTSON and Brett MEREDITH you can see why the Lions won. AND, another major factor in the win would be to celebrate the magnificent achievement of former Coach and genuine good guy Shane SCHOTTNER who played a club record 315 Senior game. To pay tribute to our 2004 Morrison Medalist the Mooroopna team and officials lined up before the game and also after the game when Shane was shouldered from the ground. With thanks to Gregor McTAGGART from the Shepparton NEWS we will borrow a snippet from his match report which is very well written.
Seymour delivered the ultimate tribute to favourite son Shane SCHOTTNER with a stunning upset of Mooroopna on Saturday. The Lions timed arguably their finest performance of the season with SCHOTTNER's record breaking 315th game to score a 42-point win over the Cats. Such is the esteem in which the popular big man is held throughout the Goulburn Valley Football League, Mooroopna paid its respect both before and after the game as SCHOTTNER's contribution to his clubs was recognised. A big crowd packed into Kings Park to celebrate the three-time Lions premiership player and 2004 Morrison medalist, who was chaired off the ground following yet another tireless display in the ruck. "It was a special day for me and to cap it off with a win was just outstanding," SCHOTTNER said. "All the boys just stood up and the young blokes were fantastic for is." SCHOTTNER always knew it would be a memorable day but admitted the size of the occasion did catch him by surprise. "The kind words by everyone were fantastic and the crowd was a bit bigger than usual to support me," he said. "Being carried off by my mates with the applause of the crowd as special and I've also got to thank the Mooroopna boys. They lined up before the game when there was a presentation for me and also after the game as well; I am really grateful because it was a fantatic moment." You could have sworn it was Seymoour who had the carrot of finals as motivation rather than Mooroopna.
Last Modified on 28/03/2015 18:54