Clurey, 30 years old, lined up for the Bears against Mooroopna in Round 7 of the GVL season. It was a match fans had been waiting for, given his elite-level experience across more than 100 games with Port Adelaide. His inclusion was expected to lift the team both on-field and off, particularly as Shepparton worked to break into finals contention.
More regional players are attracting interest from bettors this season. According to Brett Curtis, newer Australian betting platforms offer a wide range of markets, including AFL, NRL, greyhound racing, and more. If you're curious which ones have shown interest in covering community football, you can see the full list of new betting sites offering odds on smaller leagues. This attention reflects a growing demand for local sport visibility, even when injuries change the script.
Clurey’s knee injury came midway through the match, and while no long-term damage has been confirmed publicly, it's enough to rule him out of at least the Bears’ next few games. That all but ends the club’s hope of qualifying him for the GVL finals, which requires three matches before the June 30 cutoff.
His absence is not just a blow to Shepparton’s plans, but a reshuffle for the team’s defensive setup. Clurey had been signed to boost the backline after his debut was slated to help the team counter taller forwards. His injury now leaves a gap that inexperienced defenders will need to fill in the coming rounds.
Clurey had been splitting his 2025 footy commitments between Shepparton and Katamatite, where he remains listed in the Picola & District Football League. That dual registration allowed him to return to local footy roots while staying connected to the elite level through club ties. His brief GVL involvement still drew attention across the competition, and the injury hasn’t ruled out a possible return later in the season, if match eligibility criteria are met.
For now, Shepparton will look to reset. The Bears face Rochester next, a team sitting just ahead of them on the ladder. The match will be a test of resilience for a squad that had hoped to lean on AFL experience but now needs to adapt quickly.
With the mid-season stretch in full swing, every round from here becomes more important. While Clurey’s debut didn’t go as planned, his arrival brought welcome attention to the Bears and signalled their intent to contend seriously this season.
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