Shepparton settles for second-placed finish with Goulburn Valley League win - but so does Kyabram’s spearhead

Early signs were glum and ominous for the Bombers, who were attempting to propel sharpshooter Anthony Depasquale to the league goal-kicking title, coming into the day leading Seymour dynamo Riley Mason by two.

Shepparton’s 10 scoring shots to two in the opening term looked to set the stage for a worrying non-contest with finals a week away.

It had only been fitting that powerhouse Luke Smith fired the day’s first salvo on return from injury, and there was plenty more where that came from.

All seven goals on the ground in the first term came from different sources as the Bears took a handy 23-point advantage in — but boy, did that change in a hurry.

The second term offensively belonged to Depasquale, who likely wouldn’t have had time for a briefing on Mason’s dominance down south, but certainly came into the quarter like he knew there was work to do.

Four goals in the term brought the fight right back to the goal-kicking charts and, more importantly, the Bears, with the margin briefly closing to within a goal.

From a team perspective, though, Shepparton had the numbers and the answers on a regular basis as Smith also walked into the sheds with four to his name.

The game’s overall theme was Shepparton threatening to blow things right away, only to run into a stick in the mud as Kyabram simply refused to go quietly into the night.

Once all was said and done, however, Smith had a half-dozen to his name as the Bears did enough to hold the Bombers off, winning 18.12 (120) to 13.6 (84).

Depasquale finished with five after adding a late one, but found himself stranded two shy of Mason’s total after a rampant outing at Kings Park.

Coach Ted Lindon was satisfied after his side overcame a worthy challenge.

“It certainly had a finals feeling in the air with the conditions and coming up against a top six side,” Lindon said.

“It was a hot footy at stages, but it was a transition game for the most part. It was a good lead-up to September.

“Our ability to use our foot skills and control the ball was a real strength.

“With end-to-end football, the forwards are going to kick goals; Anthony’s a good player, but we didn’t really think about him that much.”

There was certainly some thought and reflection on the performance of Smith, though, who slotted back in and soared straight back to his lofty heights as if no time was missed at all.

“He’s certainly a key player for us and he does things I just can’t,” Lindon said.

“I think it was pleasing with it being his first game back in a while, performing to that standard and playing that role.

“That said, it was a collective and mature effort from all the lads yesterday.”

On goes Shepparton now to a big-time qualifying final showdown with the Murray Bombers, with the league confirming Sunday morning the game will be held at Tatura Park on Saturday.

Things naturally kick up a notch at this time of year, but intensity has, of course, been Shepparton’s middle name in 2024.

“It’s something we’ve been able to do quite well over the course of the year, keeping that pressure up,” Lindon said.

“It always goes up come finals, but we’re equipped to handle that.

“Hopefully, we’ll put our best foot forward in the month of September.”

Ash Holland and Tyler Larkin also featured among the Bears’ best besides their six-goal contributor, while Bailey Tome and Brad Whitford were top of the pops for the beaten Bombers, who will take on the Cats at Mooroopna in an elimination final on Saturday night.