Shepparton and Mooroopna contest one-sided Goulburn Valley League cut-throat semi

The latter, meanwhile, escaped the clutches of last year’s runners-up in Kyabram on the Cats’ home deck in a classic under lights.

There was no time either for dwelling or resting on one’s laurels when the Bears and Cats ventured down the Goulburn Valley Hwy to Seymour’s Kings Park, though, with only one outfit living to see another week of premiership contention.

It’s safe to say that from the moment that ball was bounced under overcast skies, one team demonstrated it had something to prove far more intensely.

Shepparton came out, to borrow an old cliche, like a house on fire in attempting to scoop the first-round knockout on a shellshocked Cats outfit - and they were lining up to deliver the blows.

Six different goalscorers - led by Trent Herbert with three - were on record for the Bears by the end of a barnstorming first term that delivered them eight majors, putting Mooroopna well and truly to the sword and gaining the upper hand in a 12-goal slugfest of a quarter.

Johnston’s close-range finish to open the second made him the Cats’ first multiple producer, and it was hardly time to count them out just yet.

Jacob Watts was marched inside 50 after copping some head-high contact, with tempers immediately flaring after he was happy to have a word as his kick sailed through.

Steadily, the Bears kept building industriously before Connor Fleming produced a moment of sheer brilliance in expertly riding a bump and delivering a tough dribbling finish just before the long break.

A long Lewis McShane bomb to beat the half time siren made it a nine-goal buffer heading into the rooms, Mooroopna’s resistance seemingly vanquished in another powerful half-hour of football.

While the nearby A-graders were spared exposure to the rain - just barely - those on the oval were not; the great equaliser that the rain so often provides served as a death knell to any lingering hopes of Moooropna getting back into the contest.

The procession continued, albeit at a slower pace, through the third with Adam De Cicco finding the big sticks on a couple of occasions to join the party.

John Lamont’s men came out of the blocks after three quarter time as if it were every bit a game still on the line, to their credit, with three unanswered goals in the first 15 minutes of the final term.

It was Lewis McShane who gave the Bears a fitting last word as Ted Lindon’s men sauntered into a preliminary final date with Rochester, courtesy of a 19.9 (123) to 8.11 (59) win.

McShane led the line with four majors in the comfortable win, while Trent Herbert and recent VFL trialist Ned Byrne finished with three apiece.

In defeat, Mooroopna relied on Daniel Johnston with three goals and Coby McCarthy with two.

Bears co-coach Ted Lindon praised the resolve of his side after pressing on with a big early lead, righting last week’s wrongs.

“As with any football side at this time of year, contest and effort are paramount and our ability to execute was pleasing,” Lindon said.

“It’s been nice to get a bit of a jump but it stems back to contest work from our mids and their ability to move the ball.

“It was good to get back to our best today before the weather came in.”

Shepparton certainly did look every bit the fearsome outfit that had run through almost everyone during the regular season, but that required learning a lesson or two from the Echuca contest.

“Last week was an extension of how safely we went forward, and today the message was to continue to be bold with ball in hand,” Lindon said.

“All in all, it’s a pleasing result and (Mooroopna has) been able to showcase they’re a good side during the year, so to win today was great.

“I haven’t looked too far ahead as yet but Rochester is a really good contest side as well in and around the football with some good key position players.

“We’re under no illusions and know it’s a fierce contest coming up, but we’ve played some good football at Deakin this year.”

Lindon wrapped up by paying tribute to 100-gamer Jonty Wardle, describing the milestone man as “courageous” and “one of the great teammates” with many admirers within the club.