Sport

Tigers troubled after lacking first half punch

By Matthew Kappos

May 3, 2026

Nathan McCarty and Kade O'Dwyer battle in a microcosm of the round five match, with the Shepparton defence having a hold on Rochy throughout the afternoon. Photos: Bruce Povey

Rochester fell to a fourth defeat in five starts to start the Goulburn Valley League senior season, downed by ladder leader Shepparton at Moon Oval.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The Tigers’ offence failed to fire in the first half, putting them in a hole they couldn’t recover from in a 15.16 (106) to 8.5 (53) defeat.

Mitch Trewhella scoops it up in traffic.

The early minutes were tight as both sides traded goals to start things off, but Shepparton would log six straight scoring shots, 2.4, from there to go into the first break up 23-6.

Rochester had the occasional foray forward in the second, but couldn’t muster a clear-cut opportunity, only posting four behinds for the period.

Tom Sparks gets to the mark as Max Brodie closes in.

The Bears had fewer issues and kicked three majors to get out to a concerning half-time advantage, 6.8 (44) to 1.4 (10).

The Rochester attack came to life after the break, suddenly sniper accurate as the Tigers kicked a perfect 5.0 for the term.

Ryley Ferguson distributes via handball.

However, Shepparton kept pace with 4.5 and the lead was only cut by one.

There was too much work left to do in the fourth and the Bears regained the ascendancy with another five majors to romp to the 53-point win.

Cooper Hamilton looks to burst through Lewis McShane.

Hamish Hooppell slotted three goals for Rochester, the only man to hit the target more than once, while Luke Smith’s four headed up the Bears’ list of scorers.

Rochester gets a reprieve from a challenging run of fixtures to start the season, taking on winless Euroa this week.

The Tigers will be on the road for the clash, ending a four-game home stand.