The Shepparton Swans are shooting closer to a top six berth.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
While the four points were secured at Princess Park, it took a four quarter effort to make it happen for the Shepparton Swans.
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As the red and white make a last ditch effort for a top six berth in the Goulburn Valley League’s A-grade division, a match against bottom-three side Rochester was one the Swans wouldn’t have expected to go down to the wire after a 27-goal win last outing.
However, there is a renewed groove about these Tigers.
After a competitive effort against Tatura in round 15, Rochester returned from the opening split week bye in round 16 to take on the Swans, and made sure this time around, the Swans would be made to earn it.
When Swans Sophie Atkinson and Jaylah Meda extracted a six-goal lead early on though, Rochester looked set for a similar result to its previous meeting, but before the Swans could amplify any more scoreboard pressure the Tigers responded, Tia Webb and Matilda McIntyre closing the gap to as close as one.
At quarter-time, it was a four-goal lead for the Swans, and straight out of the huddle the home side fired away from the Tigers, scoring five of the opening six goals, before another run of five unanswered goals took the lead up to 11.
But there was no quitting from Rochester, returning serve with a seven-goal run of their own to snap the double digit lead down to four, and narrowing it down to 30-27 at half time.
The third term saw Rochester barge ahead, taking its first lead of the contest and holding the advantage across a four minute stretch, before the Swans found a way to regain the top score.
The Swans led by three heading into the final term, and while Rochester was able to square the ledger quickly, four straight goals from Meda, plus an extra from Atkinson, opened up a five-goal buffer that would help lead to the fruits of victory.
The final six minutes of action went goal for goal, the Swans remaining in front at full time for another thrilling victory at Princess Park, 62-58.
Meda was the Swans’ best on court with 39 goals, while Tazmyn Stovell also impressed on the wing.
Rochester wing attack Charlee Roulston was given her plaudits in one of the Tigers’ strongest showings against a team ranked higher than them on the ladder.
Shepparton Swans' Harriet Gall takes a free pass.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Shepparton Swans' Tazmyn Stovell was a spark on the wing.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Shepparton Swans' Kate Betson looks to pass into the attacking third.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Shepparton Swans’ Jaylah Meda feeds the ball.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Shepparton Swans’ Tazmyn Stovell flicks a pass.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Shepparton Swans' Jaylah Meda is poised in possession.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Shepparton Swan's Tazmyn Stovell goes up and over the defender.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
In the weekend’s other results, Mooroopna hurt Euroa’s bid for the minor premiership will aiding its own, defeating the Magpies by nine goals at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
A third quarter blitz was the key for the Cats to overturn its previous 14-goal defeat to Euroa, as a 17-8 term removed a one-goal half time deficit, and was enough of a buffer to hold on for a 50-41 victory.
The win sees the Cats usurp Euroa into second, the Magpies sitting third, and Echuca two premiership points clear in first after its 10-goal win over Seymour in week one of round 16’s split round.
Mansfield rolled Kyabram 89-16 to provide a handy percentage boost, the Eagles moving into fifth on the GVL table after Tatura’s loss to Shepparton United last weekend.
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