The Shepparton Swans have sent an early warning to the competition.
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After key losses in the off-season, the 2025 sixth-placed side divided opinion on its ability to back up its drought-breaking finals appearance, but after round two of the Goulburn Valley League season, the red and white have assured one thing - they’re not going anywhere.
In their first home stand of the season, the Swans were tasked with reigning premiers Kyabram, who entered the clash brimming with belief after a round one grand final rematch victory over Rochester.
But as they were in round 18 last year, the Swans were up for the fight at Princess Park.
This time, undermanned too.
Three injuries to key forwards across the second quarter and early in the third term had the Swans depleted, but somehow, it opened up opportunity for its greatest scoring output of the match.
In the first term, James Auld and Max Clohesy snagged majors to match Kyabram’s output, trailing by a point at the first change.
Swan Rory Duffy would kick the first of the second quarter to put the home side in front, but the Bombers would steady, as Anthony Depasquale and Joshua Dillon booted the next goals of the term, establishing a 10-point lead for the visitors at the main break.
It all seemed to be going according to plan for the Bombers, until a third quarter barrage stunned the red and black.
Reminiscent of the Melbourne Demons third quarter surge in the 2021 AFL grand final, or of the second quarter blitzkrieg by the Brisbane Lions in the 2024 decider, the Swans burst from the centre with untouchable speed and chiselling deliveries inside 50.
Without James Auld (concussion), Sam Bicknell (hamstring) and Ben Gilberto (knee), Shepparton Swans coach Linc Sullivan was forced to throw the magnets around - and it paid dividends.
It took over eight minutes for the first goal to be kicked, but across the next 20-odd minutes of play, the Swans scored nine consecutive goals.
Nathan Rachele (three goals) and winger Kade Dwyer (two) led the quarter’s charge, the Swans getting out to a game-high 46-point lead before a late Kyabram goal reined in the deficit to 40 at the final change of ends.
Sullivan said the injuries allowed the Swans an opportunity to be unpredictable in attack and force gun key defender Jason Morgan to “hedge his bets”.
“Morgan has been the best defender in the GV for some time now, and with no key forwards we were pretty much forced to go around him,” he said.
“Kade Dwyer was thrown forward, and him and Nathan Rachele forced Morgan to sort of hedge his bets as whether to attack the ball or stay on his man.”
A three-quarter-time rev-up saw Kyabram come out firing in the final term and produce 12 scoring shots, but seven of which were behinds, as a three goals three behinds split in front of goal from Shepp Swans was enough to maintain a four-goal lead to the final siren, 15.7 (97) to 10.13 (73).
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Shepparton Swans' Enrique Goggin pounces on Kyabram's Anthony Depasquale. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 11
Kyabram's Coby McCarthy holds the ball for a stoppage. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 11
Shepparton Swans' Oliver Warburton grabs the Sherrin in a blind turn. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 11
Kyabram's Rhys Clark escapes a diving Shepparton Swans' Joeve Cooper. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 11
Shepparton Swans' Ethan Warburton keeps the ball in play as Kyabram's Kaine Herbert closes in. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 11
Shepparton Swans' Rory Duffy flies in late as Kyabram's Jack Sheldon marks. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 11
Kyabram's Coby McCarthy pauses play. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 11
Shepparton Swans' Oliver Warburton celebrates a goal from the backline. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 11
Shepparton Swans' Zac Alderton out in space. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 11
Players try to rip the Sherrin free. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 11
Shepparton Swans' Zavier Janke pivots to kick. Photo by Megan Fisher“It’s great to beat a side of that ilk,” Sullivan said.
“They’ve been good for a long period, so to play how we did after half time, undermanned as well... it was good seeing our style of play come out.”
VFL-listed Swan Ethan Warburton impressed again in the club’s second win of the season, earning best-on-ground despite popping his shoulder two minutes into the contest, while Lucas Rachele and Nathan Rachele (top-scoring with four goals) were also among the Swans’ top players.
“Ethan’s been great, he was courageous yesterday,” Sullivan said.
“His shoulder popped out two minutes in but he got it strapped up and played an amazing game at centre half back, which isn’t his typical position either.”
The Bombers will look to respond in round three in a Saturday night fixture against Tatura, while the Swans will aim to make a three and zip start to its GVL campaign when it takes on Shepparton United at Deakin Reserve in another night game next week.