Shepparton Swans are entering finals with a serious scalp to their name. Photos: Rechelle Zammit
It was Shepparton Swans’ swansong for the home and away season and boy did they finish on the highest note.
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As the Goulburn Valley League entered its final round, the top six positions seemed locked in place and, for all their efforts this season to clinch their first finals berth in nearly a decade, Shepparton Swans were destined to finish sixth unless what seemed like miraculous results fell in their favour.
The red and white outfit required either a substantial victory over ladder-leader Kyabram, which to this point of the season had dropped one game by a point, or needed a win plus a loss to cross-town rival Shepparton against bottom six side Seymour.
It was a tall task, but miracles can happen.
Hosting the guaranteed minor premiers at Princess Park, the Swans got the jump on the Bombers in blitzing fashion.
Nathan Rachele, playing his 100th senior GVL game, slotted the opening major to kick start a Swans side determined not to limp into finals, as the Bombers conceded seven straight goals before notching their first snag of the day.
But the momentum didn’t shift, as the Swans would kick another to raise the bat for a half-ton before quarter-time.
Kyabram salvaged some of the lead late in the term with two goals, but the red and black had quickly gone from favourite to severe underdog playing catch-up football.
The opening quarter was a shock to the system for the Bombers, who have held oppositions to eight goals or less 11 times in games this season, let alone in one term.
Shepparton Swans coach Jedd Wright lauded his side’s finals-like intensity around the contest early, with its pressure work paying dividends on the score sheet.
“We built this up as a big game, because, besides Rochester, we haven’t really beaten a team in the top six,” Wright said.
“We had a really strong emphasis on starting well and our midfielders went to work early and got the job done in there.”
As the pressure ramped up again in the second term, the Swans continued to stand tall, limiting Kyabram to a goal while scoring three of their own.
The Swans slightly increased their lead at the final change to lead by 52, before a spirited final term from the Bombers came too late to make an impact, seeing the Swans soar to a potentially season-defining victory 17.14 (116) to 12.10 (82).
Rachele kicked three in his milestone match, as Mitch Grumley (four) and Liam Rachele (two) also found multiple majors.
Wright praised Nathan Rachele for this impact on the day, providing a dangerous threat in the forward half while still being at his accumulative best in the midfield.
“I thought his leadership around the contest was fantastic and also his directional talk,” Wright said.
“It was definitely one of his better games for the year.”
Following Seymour’s win over the Bears, the Swans’ shock result sees the club rise to fifth on the ladder, and will take on reigning premier Echuca in the first week of finals.
With a heavyweight scalp to its name leading into September, Wright said the playing group was ambitious with what could be achieved in the post-season.
“Everyone’s excited, it’s been a long time for the club,” Wright said.
“We’ll stick with the status quo, keep showing up and training well and make sure we’re up for the challenge against Echuca next week.”
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