Mooroopna's Jack Johnston and Shepparton Swans' Ty Sutherland fly up for a ruck contest.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Shepparton Swans has pulled off something they hadn’t achieved in nine years.
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The Swans have quietly whittled away in the Goulburn Valley League over the past few seasons, but after emerging from the woodwork in 2025, Jedd Wright’s side is no longer part of the bottom half furniture.
In a postcard perfect Good Friday clash at Princess Park, the Swans toppled Mooroopna to take a 13.14 (92) to 9.10 (64) win and record its first 3-0 start in the GVL since 2016.
And back then, the player who ran the show on Good Friday was barely 10 years old.
Shepparton Swans' Lucas Rachele cleans up Mooroopna's Jordan Formica.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Mooroopna's Ben Woods juggles the football.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Andrew Riordan lines up a kick to a team mate.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Mooroopna's Rhys Osborne takes a moment to steady himself.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Mooroopna's Oscar Emanuelli scrambles for the ball against Shepparton Swans' Adam Fichera.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Ty Sutherland loads up a handball.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swan's Adam Fichera gives and goes while on the move.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Mooroopna's Ben Hicks turns and burns out of the backline.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Homegrown star Oliver Warburton was more Mars rover than ruck rover against Mooroopna, covering every inch of space as he’s done throughout his other two games representing the Swans in his first season of senior footy at the club.
“He was fantastic; I know he only 18 or 19, but he plays like he’s been playing senior footy for 10 years,” Wright said.
“He’s a real on-field leader and it’s been great to have him back around the club and he’s been well-supported by a really strong midfield group with Nathan Hrovat, Zac Alderton, those sort of boys.
“At times, he’s probably not getting tagged when those other are getting a fair bit of the heat.”
The midfield contest was hot from the bounce, but the Swans had no trouble shifting it up the ground quickly to let the forwards have an early stab at the sticks.
What wasn’t easy was getting it through the big ones.
The Swans kicked four uncontested behinds before Lucas Rachele and Joeve Cooper converted in quick succession, and despite Mooroopna clawing one back, Kade Dwyer’s late kick lifted the hosts to a 16 point quarter-time lead.
Coby James’ electric effort to kick off the second term kept the game tight, and further inaccuracies had Mooroopna well in the race until a three goal red-time Swans barrage.
Cats’ coach John Lamont swung the magnets around to keep Wright guessing throughout the third quarter, and though the Swans were up by 20 points at the final break, there was still a lingering thought that this game was far from finished.
But when leaders were needed, up stepped those who’ve done it time and time over.
Andrew Riordan drilled a kick from the right-hand flank to split a tense period in the match, and Alderton followed suit with one minute remaining in regular time to put the game beyond reasonable doubt.
A late Mooroopna double juiced up the Cats’ score, but when all was said and done, Wright came out smiling as his side’s perfect start to the campaign continued.
“I think it was a real confidence booster for the group,” he said.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve won three in a row and had a really positive start to the year so it was really pleasing.
“We probably didn’t need much motivation; we’ve had a really strong pre-season and we’re really confident in the game plan and style we’re playing, that it’ll stack up against good teams.
“I know Mooroopna were 0-2 but they’re certainly not an 0-2 team, they’re going to pick up a lot of wins throughout the year.”
In the post-COVID-19 era, the Swans had hammered down a reputation as a young side that, while quick across the ground, was perhaps a tad wet behind the ears.
That seems to be being put to bed in 2025.
The Princess Park dwellers are evolving into a true force in the GVL, and with a winnable game looming against Tatura, the Swans could be 4-0 by the month’s end.
“The last few years has been really solid development for the group, but I think they’re ready now to consistently play better footy across four quarters,” Wright said.
“We’re really happy with how we’re going, we think we’re progressively getting better and the weekend was a big test for us.
“John Lamont is obviously an outstanding coach and really challenged the group halfway through that second quarter and the third quarter, so it was fantastic to see us bounce back and get the game back on our terms.”
For the Swans, Warburton was a standout while Steele Simpson, Quade Johnstone and Alderton kicked two goals apiece.
On the Mooroopna front, Jack Johnston was hard at the coalface in the ruck while Jordan Formica and Logan Campbell doubled up on the day.
