A dream start for the Eagles in the opening game of the Kyabram District League finals series had them away and laughing early, as they kicked a staggering 10 unanswered goals in the first stanza to stun a hapless Kangaroos side.
The Eagles would ultimately cruise to a dominant 19.12 (126) to 11.6 (72) triumph.
Shepparton East playing coach Rob Osborne, who finished with a five-goal haul, said the start to the day went perfectly to plan.
“It was a good win and a good start — we had a good first quarter which just set the day up and set the tone,” Osborne said.
“We put a pretty big emphasis on the start and we started well, when you start well it gets us up and about and puts them on the back foot early.
“It makes it hard for them to peg that back and takes the wind out of their sails a bit.”
Spearhead Adem Barolli wasted no time in getting among the goals, kicking four in the first term, with Osborne also helping keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“Adem Barolli played really well and all the blokes in the middle — Tyler Pedretti, all our main midfielders and Tom McCluskey in the ruck,” Osborne said.
“Our backs stood up well, when they (Girgarre) went forward our backs rebounded off half-back really well.
“Jamie Spencer, Matt Rendina and Dwain Vidler playing off that half-back were really good.”
Osborne said barring any developments, his side had gotten through the game unscathed and welcomed back Zac Groombridge from injury who’d been out since round 14.
“Zac Groombridge came back for his first game back for a while which was good to see,” he said.
“There were no fresh injuries throughout the game which is good, the last six or seven weeks we get a couple back and lose a couple at the same time, we got through unscathed which is a good thing.
“We get a week off now to rest up and see who we play after next week’s game.”
Ahead of a potential match-up with the loser of an Avenel-Stanhope qualifying final this weekend, the Eagles mentor is well aware the challenges will continue to come thick and fast.
“We’re going to have to play another quality game for that one, they’re both quality sides,” Osborne said.
“Avenel’s been the dominant side all year and Stanhope finished fourth, they’re a dominant side as well and we’ll have to be on when we play them.
“We’re playing harder competition and the stakes rise a bit more.”
On Sunday, a stunning Nagambie performance lifted the Lakers to a heart-stopping 16.12 (108) to 15.7 (97) win over Violet Town.
In a game with no shortage of lead changes, it was Nagambie that dug deep in the shadows of the fourth quarter to run home the victor.
Lakers young gun Jonathan Moore was instrumental and kicked six goals to earn him best-on-ground credentials.
Towners’ Jack Exell almost single-handily pulled his side over the line with a brilliant eight-goal effort.
Nagambie will face either Murchison-Toolamba or Lancaster in a fortnight.
