Grand final deep dive: Re-living the most memorable Goulburn Valley League deciders

Whether it was an underdog ending an all conquering dynasty or a side ending a lengthy premiership drought, the GV League has certainly delivered on the big stage in recent years.

So sit back, relax and enjoy as we take a trip down memory lane and bring to you some of the region’s best football encounters since the turn of the century.

1. Shepparton Bears break Kyabram’s 62-game winning streak in 2018 heart-stopper

When it comes to reliving GV League grand finals there really is no other place to start than 2018.

The mid-to-late 2010s was a period dominated by the Kyabram Bombers, who on the back of coach Paul Newman reeled off back-to-back premierships in 2016 and 2017 and had not dropped a game for more than three years heading into the 2018 decider.

The Bears on the other hand had not tasted premiership glory since 2000, a drought which was the clubs longest since it joined the Goulburn Valley League in 1894.

Heading into season 2018, the Bombers were well and truly favoured to take out a third straight crown as they cruised their way through the home and away season with a record of 18-0 - easily accounting for almost all the challengers in their way.

After losing to the Bombers by 55 points on grand final day in 2017, Shepparton entered the new season with a point to prove and put together a solid home and away campaign to finish second with a record of 14-4.

This would pit the two rivals against each other in the first week of the finals, and despite an excellent four-quarter effort from the young Bears, the class and experience of the Bombers saw them claim a hard-fought 14-point victory.

The confidence that they could defeat the Kyabram juggernaut was there though, as Shepparton proceeded to easily account for Mansfield in the first semi final before prevailing over Echuca in the preliminary final to set up their shot at redemption.

Taking over the reins at the Bears at the beginning of the season following three years as an assistant under Brad Campbell, coach Sean Harrap was full of belief heading into the game.

“I think it can be achieved and if we do all the right things and our preparation’s right, yeah it’s going to be challenging with Kyabram at 62 (wins) on the trot, but we’ll be putting our best foot forward don’t worry about that.”

Still heading into the game as rank outsiders, many thought it would be a case of Kyabram by how many, as the ball was bounced at Deakin Reserve.

How wrong they were.

Spurred on by the previous year’s defeat the young Shepparton team was full of life in the first term, dominating all of the early passages and keeping the ball in their attacking half.

What they could not do, however, was capitalise on the scoreboard as after Nik Rokahr put through the game’s first major the Bears would kick four straight behinds, opening them up for Kyabram to hurt them on the counter attack.

Kyle Mueller would put the Bombers on the board at the midway point of the first term, before a late Brad Whitford goal would tie up the scores heading into quarter time.

The game would even itself out to start the second term, with the two teams going goal for goal in the early passages in what was an extremely entertaining period of football.

But as they had done so well over past three years, Kyabram slowly managed to get their way on top and ended the half with two unanswered goals courtesy of Mueller and Lachie Smith.

Going into the sheds having lost all the momentum, the boisterous Shepparton crowd began to truly find its voice as the third term began.

In what can only be described as a scrap, Sam Sheldon would extend Kyabram’s lead in the early stages of the third as it seemed all but destined that they would win their 63rd consecutive game and hoist the cup aloft for the third straight year.

Nobody told the Bears this, however, as they remarkably pulled themselves off the canvas and got the game back on their terms, with the work of a young Jordon Butts the catalyst as they kicked three unanswered goals to have the margin at a solitary point come the final change.

With the game perfectly set up, the last quarter began with great anticipation as Butts quickly found himself with space inside 50 and converted to put Shepparton back in front.

It wouldn’t take long for the Bombers to answer, however, as Kayne Pettifer managed to wrong foot Bears captain Ted Lindon in the goal square and restore his side’s lead with still well over 20 minutes to play.

The game was in desperate need of a hero, and it would come in the form of Shepparton forward Anthony Andronaco who managed to find space inside the forward 50 on two occasions and capitalised to put his side 10 points up heading into time on.

A side that had dominated the league for three years, the Bombers would once again go to another level and managed to hit the scoreboard in the 21st minute courtesy of Brad Mangan to bring the margin back within a kick.

Taking back the momentum, Kyabram would now be the side full of running and looked like pinching the game at the death as Mueller snapped around his body.

However, the football gods would be on Shepparton’s side as the ball remarkably cannoned into the post - bringing the margin back to two points.

The Bombers would have one last-ditch effort to bring the cup home, only for captain Lindon miraculously swatted a ball down that was destined to kick off a damaging passage of play down the wing seconds before the final siren.

The scenes at Deakin Reserve were incredible as fans swarmed their team who had just pulled off the upset of all upsets.

Winning the Wilf Cox and AFL Victoria Country medal as best afield, Bears co-captain Ash Holland was beaming with excitement following the win.

“It’s the stuff dreams are made of,” Holland said.

“I am really proud of the boys and to achieve what we have been able to achieve is fantastic.”

From that premiership team of three years ago, two Bears products have gone on to be regular contributors at AFL level - with Butts and Lachie Ash showing themselves to be future stars of the competition.

Final score Shepparton 1.6 3.8 6.9 9.9 (63) Kyabram 2.0 5.7 6.10 8.13 (61)

Wilf Cox Medal: Ash Holland

Goals - Shepparton: J Butts 2, A Andronaco 2, L Smith, J Brett, N Rokahr, J Wardle, J McGregor

Kyabram: L Smith 2, K Pettifer 2, S Sheldon, B Mangan, B Whitford, K Mueller

Best - Shepparton: A Holland, M Brett, J Wardle, L Duguid, M Ryan, N Rokahr

Kyabram: L Ogden, L Morris, B Mangan, S Sheldon, T Holman, T Sheldon

2. Shepparton Swans ruin Benalla’s perfect season in 2014 upset

If the 2018 is regarded as the best GV League grand final in recent memory than the decider from 2014 cannot be far off the mark.

Sporting a premiership drought that dated back to 1940, the Saints were as determined as ever to make 2014 their year after falling of the finals in straight sets after a second-placed finish.

The Swans on the other hand enjoyed a memorable finals run to make a preliminary final from sixth position in 2013, and continued with a solid home and away season the following the year finishing in second position with record of 14-2-2.

It was clear for all to see, however, that Benalla were the team to beat in 2014, as some shrewd recruiting and natural improvement saw them become league powerhouses and cruise their way to a minor premiership with a perfect record of 18-0.

With a chance at history well and truly within their grasp, the Saints continued their strong form into September with a tight win over the Shepparton Swans in the qualifying final - before punching their ticket to the big dance with a decisive 55-point win over Kyabram the following week.

Following their first-week defeat to the Saints, the Swans would rebound swiftly with a 41-point win over Tatura before easily accounting for Kyabram in the preliminary final to set up an intriguing first versus second showdown on the big stage.

Joining the Saints as a playing coach after they claimed the wooden spoon in 2012, Luke Morgan explained what went into turning the club around so drastically in just two seasons.

“There’s good people - great people - involved in this club, a good bunch of boys around and you’ve got to invest a lot of time and effort in them,” he said.

“If you don’t and you’re not willing to do that, you’re never going to achieve what you set out to achieve.

“Showing that I care about each and every one of these guys and I’m sure it will in the future.”

As the ball bounced at Deakin Reserve just four quarters stood between Benalla and their fairytale drought-breaking flag.

But as is often the case in sport, not everyone gets their fairytale ending - and for the Shepparton Swans their was a 44-year drought the club was hellbent on breaking.

Intensity was high as the game kicked off, with the contested nature of both sides resulting in a 14-minute wait for the goal - which would be duly converted by Benalla’s James Martyn.

This would see the Saints kick into gear and pile on another two majors in the next four minutes to open up a comfortable 20 point margin - which would be reduced to eight by the first change.

Taking all the momentum into the break the Swans would capitalise at the beginning of the second term as Tyson Sidebottom and Jameson Daniels began to get on top through the middle of the ground.

Kicking three goal’s to Benalla’s nil for the term, the Swans had flipped the script in their favour to hold a valuable eight-point lead as the siren blew for half-time.

In what was clearly turning out to be a war of attrition, goals were hard to come by in the third term as Benalla managed to get on top of the game in general play, but found themselves unable to capitalise on the scoreboard.

A quarter which saw Benalla kick a frustrating 1.6, the Swans would take advantage on the counter attack with majors to Mitch Bell and Paul Fry in the shadows of three-quarter time gifting them a crucial 10-point edge.

Set up for a grandstand finish, the Saints started the final term full of run and again got on top in general play as they began an endless barrage of attacking forays.

But to the Swans credit they hung strong in defence, with the Benalla finding themselves unable to hit the scoreboard and snatch the lead back for the first time since the second term.

Saints utility Al Jacka would eventually break the deadlock as the match entered time on, with a determined Benalla side now just one straight kick away from breaking their premiership drought.

With just one minute remaining, a long-range shot from ruckman Will Sullivan seemed destined to go through the big sticks - only for a slight change in direction late steering it through for a behind allowing the Swans to hang on for the most famous of victories.

The Swans’ score of 48 was the lowest winning GVFL premiership total since Tatura defeated City United (Now Shepparton United) with 7.2 (44) in the 1953 grand final replay.

While it was heartbreak for the Saints, they would come back bigger and better the next year and finally break their drought with a 59-point win over Kyabram.

Final Score Shepparton Swans 2.1 5.3 7.5 7.6 (48) Benalla 3.3 3.7 4.13 5.15 (45)

Wilf Cox Medal: Tyson Sidebottom

Goals - Shepparton Swans: K Antonowicz 3, B A’Vard, M Bell, J Daniels, P Fry

Benalla: A Jacka 2, N Warnock , J Martyn , T Havers

Best- Shepparton Swans: J Daniels, T Preece, T Sidebottom, D Lovick, J Finnen, B Squire

Benalla: J Pallpratt, B Martyn, A Polwarth, N Mellington, Z Pallpratt, J Martyn

3. Rochester end Seymour dynasty in 2008 thriller

It is very rare that you see a side win four premierships in a row.

Not since Shepparton in the mid-1960s has the feat been accomplished at Goulburn Valley League level.

So when the Seymour Lions suited on grand final day in 2008 to make it four on the trot it would have to be an equally great side to knock them off the pedestal.

Enter Rochester.

After missing the finals in 2007, the Tigers romped their way back into contention in 2008 - climbing their way up to third on the ladder on the back of a 14-4 record.

It was clear throughout the season, however, that Seymour would be the team to beat, as they continued their dominance over the remainder of the league to cruise to the minor premiership, losing just two matches in the process.

After winning their first finals, the two teams would square off in the second semi final - with the Lions prevailing by 15 points and punching their ticket to the big dance.

The Tigers would win their way through to the decider the following week, accounting for Mooroopna by 30 points to set-up an intriguing rematch of their enthralling semi-final match up.

Going into the game all the pressure was on the Lions, going into the match heavily favoured to win their fourth premiership in a row.

Kicking with the breeze to begin proceedings Seymour would get on top of the game early, but inaccurate kicking found themselves unable to put that dominance onto the scoreboard.

Sporting a return of 3.6 to Rochester’s 1.2, the Lions would take a slender 16-point lead into the first change, which should have been excess of five goals.

Looking to put some scoreboard pressure on early in the second, Matt O’Keefe would handball to an open Dom Russo in the goal square to give the Lions the first major of the second term.

From that point on, however, the world game would experience a major shift as Rochester got its attacking style of play going.

With the wind behind their backs, the Tigers would reel in the Lions lead by kicking five of the next six goals - sending shockwaves into the Seymour camp as they held just a two-point lead at the main change.

Spurred on by the dream of a fourth consecutive flag the Lions came out swinging to start what was a roller coaster of a third term.

The lead would change three times in the early stages before the championship pedigree of Seymour began to shine through.

Two goals in a minute from youngster Ben Clifton and a long-range effort from Paul Scanlon would have the Lions very well-placed heading into the final change - before veteran Ruckman Shane Schottner sent the Seymour crowd into a frenzy as converted from outside 50 after the siren to give his team a sizeable 19-point lead.

The Tigers did have the wind at their backs for the all-important final term and capitalised early through Anthony McPhee.

However, for every shot the Tigers had it seemed Seymour had a swift answer as a 50-metre penalty not long after saw the three-goal margin restored as the team’s went goal for goal for the next 10 minutes.

With the margin sitting at 13 points with time-on approaching the Tigers needed a hero - and it was Elliot Bowen that answered his team’s prayers.

Asserting himself into the game late, Bowen would kick three final term goals to bring the margin back to within two points at the 24-minute mark.

With tensions building all over Deakin Reserve a five-minute mad rush would ensue as Seymour defended for their life against an inspired Tigers team daring to dream in the final minutes.

It would take until the 29th minute for Rochester to finally hit the front courtesy of a Dean Moon snap, as the ground braced for the siren to blare at any second.

Seymour’s Matt Penn had the chance to be a hero in the closing moments as he marked back with flight 40 metres out directly in front - but it wasn’t to be for the Lions as he sprayed his kick to the right allowing Rochester to hold on for a famous victory.

Speaking post game, Tigers coach Daniel Schmidt was lost for words.

“There wasn’t any pressure on us and we had nothing to lose,” he said.

“We just went out there trying to win, but Seymour were going for four in a row.

“When I took over as coach at the end of last year I made the big statement that I wanted to make finals - but to go on and win a premiership is something else.”

Final Score

Rochester 15.9 (99) Seymour 13.18 (96)

Wilf Cox Medal: Paul Scanlon

Goals - Rochester: E Bowen 7, D Cuttriss 2, D Moon 2, K Oliver 2, B Deuscher , A McPhee 1

Seymour: S Saad 2, B Colbert 2, B Haberman 2, B Clifton 2, J Anderson, D Russo, P Scanlon, S Schottner, R Van riet

Best- Rochester: E Bowen, K Oliver, A Watson, S O’Brien, S Hann, D Moon

Seymour: P Scanlon, R Van riet, B Colbert, S Schottner, B Haberman, M O’Keefe