Before hosting the visitors from Deakin Reserve, the Cats came into the clash with something of a point to prove after a mixed start to the new campaign, having lost their most recent outing against Shepparton.
Shepparton United made the brighter start on the road, striking early through Jayedon Hexter before Samuel McInnerney added a second goal to give the visitors early control.
However, Mooroopna settled after the opening exchanges, with Jack Osborne getting them on the board midway through the term, but United’s efficiency ensured they held a seven-point lead at quarter time.
That advantage was extended in the second quarter, with United again taking control of proceedings.
Goals to Jack Supple and Timothy Looby early in the term pushed the margin beyond three goals, and while Mooroopna managed just two behinds for the quarter, United’s ability to capitalise on their opportunities saw them take a 13-point lead into halftime.
At that stage, the visitors appeared to have the game on their terms, with the wind in their sails.
Any optimism at the interval would soon be extinguished, though, the momentum shifted dramatically after the main break in what proved to be the defining passage of play.
United briefly extended their lead early in the third term through Liam Serra, but Mooroopna responded immediately and seized control of the contest.
Goals to Dan Tuddenham and Keelin Betson sparked the comeback before a flurry of majors turned the game on its head.
Jack Osborne added his second, while Toby Williams, Isaac Dowling and Kai Madgwick all hit the scoreboard as the Cats piled on six goals for the quarter.
Despite United managing three goals of their own, Mooroopna’s dominance improved efficiency going forward saw them turn a deficit into a 19-point lead by the final change.
With everything on the line in the final term, Shepparton United pushed to respond, but were left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal.
Mooroopna struck first through Isaac Dowling to extend the margin, and while United worked their way back into the contest, repeated behinds prevented them from closing the gap.
Brodie Newman eventually broke through for a late goal, but it came too late to significantly impact the result.
Dowling’s second goal late in the quarter sealed the win for Mooroopna, capping off a hard-fought performance.
Reflecting on his side’s resilience in a brilliant comeback victory, the hosts’ coach John Lamont was pleased with what he witnessed from his charges.
“I was very pleased because it was a good contested game, in good conditions, played in good spirit,” he said.
“We hadn’t had much reward in terms of goals up until half time so it’s a real positive that the players didn’t get despondent that they hadn’t really hit the scoreboard and were trailing coming into half-time.
“They maintained that belief I suppose.”
The Cats’ ability to capitalise during their dominant third quarter ultimately proved the difference, while United’s inaccuracy in the final term - managing just 1.6 - their undoing in a game that slipped from their grasps.
“They came out and created a bit of their own luck and get a bit of reward - kicking six goals for the quarter - a really good learning night for us,” Lamont said of the third quarter showing.
“Our forward line pressure lifted definitely but we’ve got a young group sprinkled with experience and there was that bit of excitement, which we’d not had in the first half.
“It was a dour struggle before then but next minute we got a bit of momentum and the players got inspired and wanted to join in on the good feeling.”
Next up for Mooroopna is another home clash versus Echuca, while Shepparton United will aim to respond quickly in its next outing against Mansfield at Deakin Reserve.
