Back then, the Eagles seemed a rusted-on candidate to run deep into September.
Now, Jack Hutchins’ mountain men just seem rusty.
After losing the early duels of the season to Echuca and Shepparton, Mansfield fast became the competition’s goal-happy front runner.
The Eagles were firing like a 12-gauge shotgun — and kicking like one, too.
In a dazzling four-game run, Hutchins’ side averaged a staggering 19.5 goals a game, largely due to a 26.17 (173) to 4.3 (27) decimation of Benalla in late April.
However, Mansfield hadn’t kicked more than five goals in a quarter since then.
That was until Saturday against Shepparton Swans.
The Eagles gave a glimpse of their former gunslinging selves during a searing third term, starting six goals behind and finishing with just one to make up thanks to a 7.1 flurry.
Although they couldn’t carry it through to the end and eventually succumbed to a 19.6 (120) to 15.5 (95) defeat, for a time, it looked as if Mansfield was going to repeat its three-point victory over the Swans in round two.
So what did the Eagles do right in that third quarter at Princess Park?
Hutchins’ troops led the disposal count 91-72, but right off the bat, it’s clear the Swans were superior in the contested game.
The hosts led in contested possessions (44-37), ground ball gets (28-22), hard ball gets (9-6) and loose ball gets (19-16), while Mansfield had the slight edge (+3) in intercept possessions.
However, where the Eagles truly soared was in their marking game.
Mansfield versus Swans - third quarter
Disposals
Mansfield: 91
Swans: 72
Marks
Mansfield: 29
Swans: 11
Tackles
Mansfield: 11
Swans: 6
Inside 50s
Mansfield: 12
Swans: 15
Goals
Mansfield: 7
Swans: 3
The visitors led every stat in the marking category while also dominating the tackle count, literally playing smash-and-grab footy and succeeding while doing so.
However, only one stat matters in footy — goals — and Billy Hogan had six of them in one quarter.
Mansfield’s young sniper channelled Mark Wahlberg’s character Bobby Lee Swagger in the movie Shooter, aiming and firing with laserlike precision as he collected a half dozen majors from seven disposals.
Meanwhile, Max and Brett Mahoney were busy moving the ball about in the middle of the park with a combined 25 touches during the Eagles’ electric quarter.
In less than half an hour, Mansfield reminded itself — and the rest of the comp — of what can happen when it runs hot.
Sure, injuries to the likes of Harry Mahoney and Patrick Marks as well as Ben Christopher’s overseas jaunt have played their course in the Eagles’ form dip since such a promising start.
But if Hutchins can conjure more of that magic from Saturday’s third quarter from now on, GVL sides better beware.
