After trailing by as many as 40 points Shepparton Swans have surged in the second half to draw with Mansfield.
It’s the first draw in Goulburn Valley League since round 15 last year, which also featured Mansfield, the Eagles tying with Rochester at 58-apiece.
However, this result will sting the Eagles, relinquishing a near-seven-goal lead in the second term to end up halving the premiership points on offer.
The early advantage came off the back of a six-goal blitz in the aforementioned quarter, while the Swans were limited to 1.3.
The Swans kicked the final goal of the term to reduce the half-time margin to 34, but following Mansfield’s six unanswered majors, the scoreline had sat at 16-56.
Entering the sheds at Princess Park, coach Linc Sullivan clearly delivered a message that rocked the Swans back into gear.
Returning from the rooms, it was the J-named Swans who took control of the contest in the third quarter.
Continuing his hot form after kicking five against Rochester, crafty forward James Auld booted three of his six goals for the match in the third term against Mansfield, following back-to-back goals to begin the quarter by Joeve Cooper.
Mansfield’s Sam Thomson kicked the first of the last to establish a 17-point buffer, but it would be the Eagles’ final major for the contest.
Once again, it was Auld and Cooper that were dangerous in the forward arc, with Auld snagging a further two goals to close the margin to five points, before a goal in red time by Cooper provided the Swans with their first lead of the contest.
The match turned into a desperate scramble in the dying stages, but Mansfield ushered a behind before the final siren to escape with an 11.9 (75) to 11.9 (75) draw.
Enrique Goggin, Ethan Warburton and Auld were among the best in the Swans’ comeback effort, while regular features in the best Callum Brown and Thomson were acknowledged again for their first half showing.
The two premiership points elevates Shepp Swans into third on the ladder, while Mansfield holds its pre-round eight position of fifth.
The Swans will face Tatura in round nine, while Mansfield will host Shepparton, the Bears coming off their first loss of the season to Echuca on Saturday.
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