Where there is a will, there is a way for Mooroopna

On Saturday afternoon, the Cats may have taken the next step on that trajectory, not by blowing Shepparton Swans out of the water, but by finding a different way to win.

The start of the match went precisely to script for Mooroopna as it burst out of the gates, opening up a 26-0 lead 15 minutes into the first quarter.

The Cats’ bright start seemed even more ominous thanks to star key forward Daniel Johnston’s golden five-minute period, where he booted 3.1 while demonstrating his strength in marking contests and with fend-offs.

But as Mooroopna’s fast start slowed, Shepparton Swans began to work their way into the match and began to cut back the lead, finishing the quarter down 32-21.

By just looking at the scoreline, it would appear Mooroopna held control of the contest all day as up until the last 10 minutes, the Cats consistently had a 15 to 30-point advantage, but this was a much harder and fierce contest than the scoreboard let on.

The Swans ended up winning the inside 50s by 10 (48-58), registered five more shots on goal (24-29), dominated hit-outs (35-61) and had more marks inside 50 (13-16).

Meanwhile, after Johnston’s opening-quarter burst, veteran Swans defender Andrew Riordan (16 disposals, 88 per cent efficiency, five intercept possessions, five marks, three spoils) kept Mooroopna’s star to three more touches for the match.

So, on the face of it, the Swans looked in a good position to claim a significant victory away from home, but like the best teams do, Mooroopna found a way.

With their best forward well held, opportunities for other Cats attackers appeared as Bryce Rutherford (four goals, 20 touches, five inside 50s) and Darcy Russell (three goals, 12 score involvements, three goal assists) capitalised on being targeted more.

Mooroopna coach John Lamont was proud of how his side found different avenues to goal.

“At stages in the first half, in particular, and then in the third, we were right on top, really controlling things and at times we scored easily, but then, again, credit to them (Swans), they kept at it,” he said.

“The spread of goal-kickers and so forth was important as he (Johnston) looked like a couple of times he was going to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, but he didn’t.

“A few other blokes have also chimed in with threes and fours, so just that spread means that we are a bit less predictable, so that is definitely a positive and something that we are aiming for to spread the load on the goal-kickers.”

Heading into the match, Lamont was aware of Swans ruckman Mark Kovacevic’s influence in the centre and how important it would be for the Cats to even the midfield contest.

“Their ruckman is a big man and his ruck craft is really good, so I think Keelin (Betson) did a good job,” he said.

“Swans are what I call undefeated in the midfield as they have won clearances and inside 50s.

“Keelin Betson, I think, did a terrific job in the ruck and our midfield group, generally, did pretty well.”

From the first bounce, it was clear there was a size difference between Kovacevic (50 hit-outs) and Betson (28 hit-outs), but the young Mooroopna ruck toiled away all day, contest after contest.

Although the Swans ruckman was dominant in the hit-outs, Betson (24 touches, 12 clearances and seven tackles) gave the Cats some grunt through the middle of the ground in an impressive performance.

In round five, Mooroopna will head to Tatura as it hunts its fourth win in five games.