Mooroopna prevails over Shepparton thanks to third-quarter flurry

Bears coach Xavier Stevenson was honest when assessing the loss, admitting a tanking in the third quarter was the glaring reason as to why his side fell to Mooroopna.

“It’s probably a bit of a hard one to reflect on to be honest, because the first half we were right within the game,” he said.

“It was a really positive start, our pressure was fantastic and our ability to influence at the source was really good.

“We just had a major lapse after half-time and, in the end, the third quarter and the damage Mooroopna was able to do was the difference in the game.

“We won three quarters out of four, but unfortunately they had far too much influence in that third and as a by-product that was the end of the game.”

Sporting vogue Indigenous guernseys for NAIDOC Week, not a single uniform was left clean as the heavens opened upon the ‘D’ midway through the game.

Beforehand, an identical 1.1 first quarter showing from both sides indicated the influence of an already-greasy surface, but Shepparton was able to sharpen at the source during the second as it won the majority of the contested ball.

The Bears also led the inside 50 count 9-7 in the second term and were efficient, kicking 4.1 to Mooroopna’s 2.0 to sneak out to a 13-point advantage at the half.

It was here when things began to go pear-shaped quickly for Shepparton.

The Cats eclipsed the host’s ball retention, topping the disposal count 78-57, and a whopping 19 inside 50s created plenty of looks up forward for Mooroopna as Chris Nield and Jackson Trengove added five of the side’s six third-quarter goals.

The 41-point to zip term was astounding in nature and, although Shepparton doubled Mooroopna’s tally in the last, the damage had been done.

Stevenson lamented the lapse, giving credit to the Cats’ ruthlessness during the 20 or so minutes of mayhem which cost his side the game.

“They were able to win more of the football around the source and were able to utilise the footy a little bit better,” he said.

“They took their chances and were a bit more efficient when it did go forward.

“In terms of our key parameters, we won inside 50s and we won a lot around the contest in terms of tackling and the ability to win contested football.

“But we couldn’t curb their momentum in the third which was disappointing.”

Nield (five goals) and Trengove (three) were laser-accurate for Mooroopna, while Bryce Rutherford offered yet another solid performance in blue and white.

For Shepparton, young Jacob Watts battled valiantly as did defenders Ethan Baxter and Jonty Wardle and Adam De Cicco earned plaudits from Stevenson for his influence around the contest.