Benalla lead by two points away from home in the Goulburn Valley League at Princess Park on Saturday afternoon, but that was all about to change.
No-one could have predicted what happened next, as the Swans found a gear and blew Benalla away to record an 11.12.78 to 6.5.41 win.
Benalla co-coach Will Martiniello has reiterated the importance of staying positive despite the harsh loss.
“The message at half-time was that we keep positive and keep playing our style,” he said.
“Losing Nick Mellington in the first and David Mennen after that was tough.
“I think we used all our petrol tickets in the third, to be honest.
“Blake (Uebergang) played in one of the hardest positions on the field and to see him back himself in was good to see. He’s definitely one for the future for us.”
The game was expected to be an even contest between two teams struggling to find consistent form.
Benalla’s main forward target was back, as ex-AFL player Jarrad Waite returned to the side after his eight-goal thriller against Rochester two rounds previous.
The Saints where hoping his presence and prowess in front of goal would make the difference, but a lack of service meant his impact was limited to two goals.
The first three quarters were tightly contested.
The Swans got off to the stronger start, kicking the first two majors, with the Saints kicking one late on.
The second quarter was just as evenly matched, as both teams responded to the other’s goals.
Both sides managed to slot three goals, with the Swans edging the quarter with three behinds to the Saints’ two.
Benalla controlled the third quarter and kept Shepparton goalless.
Few chances presented themselves to the Saints but they took them when they did, kicking two goals straight.
The Swans could not convert forward pressure into significant points, as they kicked three behinds for the quarter.
Benalla led at the final break, but whatever Shepparton coach Andrew Riordan said to his players set them alight.
The Swans were unstoppable in the final spell, as they kicked six unanswered goals, more than doubling the score they had put on the board coming into the quarter.
Benalla was shocked by the onslaught and was able to respond with only a single behind.
The high pressure nature of the first three periods was nowhere to be found as Shepparton ran away with a comprehensive 37-point win.
Injuries continue to plague the Saints, but football manager Terry Blackburn was able to reflect on the silver linings.
“We’re getting games into the kids and they’re standing out and having a go,” he said.
“We’ve got Kyabram without a few of our major players. It’s just how our whole year has been, really. We get four players back and four players are out.”
Kyabram will be one of Benalla’s toughest opponents yet, as it sits second on the ladder behind only Echuca on percentage.