Goulburn Valley League grand final day has arrived!
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See below for all of our preview content and information in one easy-to-access place, and make sure you check back here on Sunday for our live rolling coverage from Deakin Reserve.
Make sure you check out the sheppnews.com.au/sport tab for all of today’s content as it drops.
Updates go in descending order from most-recent to oldest.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 8PM: That’s it from me.
The last day of the GVL season is done and dusted.
Thanks for joining us today, and throughout the week, and make sure you pick up a copy of tomorrow’s News and Riverine Herald.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 6.15PM: Photos and stories.
The best place to go for photos from today’s action is here: https://www.sheppnews.com.au/galleries/
If you’re looking for stories, trawl through this page below or head to: https://www.sheppnews.com.au/sport/
For those of you with a Riverine Herald subscription, head to: riverineherald.com.au/sport/
There’s still plenty to come from the A-grade and senior football matches, but those links will show you what’s already there.
Best on in finals - Andrew Bell (Euroa)
— Tyler Maher (@tylermaher5) September 24, 2023
Best on as voted by the umpires - Sam Willoughby (Echuca)
Best on as voted by the media - Sam Willoughby (Echuca)#MMGSport
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 5.35PM: Echuca are premiers.
Echuca win 15.13 (103) to 9.13 (67).
The Murray Bombers fought off a stern first-half challenge from Kyabram, but were far too strong once they get moving.
It means that, in the GVL, KDL, MFL and PDFL, all four senior football premiers have gone back-to-back in the post-COVID pair of finished campaigns.
Back to back. Echuca beat Kyabram by 36 points to claim the @GVLeague premiership! #MMGSport pic.twitter.com/q97a3vInNc
— Joshua Huntly (@JoshuaHuntly) September 24, 2023
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 5.30PM: Approaching the end.
25 minutes gone in the final term and Echuca leads 97-59.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 5.15PM: Party time.
Echuca is out to a 53-point lead here at Deakin Reserve - the Murray Bombers are going back-to-back!
10 minutes have elapsed in the final term.
Keep checking back with this page - and the Riverine Herald and Shepparton News websites - as we continue to compile all of the reports, photos, reactions and celebration from today’s games.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 5PM: Echuca in control.
Echuca leads by 39 points at the final break. Does Kyabram have another shot to fire?
Enormous work from Echuca. They’ve booted seven unanswered goals to take a 39-point lead in the dying stages of 3QT! #MMGSport @RivSport pic.twitter.com/s0rioCD4cb
— Joshua Huntly (@JoshuaHuntly) September 24, 2023
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 4.55PM: Murray Bombers roaring
As the throng of Bottle Green - many brandishing shiny new medals around their necks - moves from the netball court back over to the football oval at Deakin Reserve, the sight they are seeing is delighting them.
Echuca has kicked away, and leads 76-43 approaching the final change.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 4.35PM: Echuca awakening.
The Murray Bombers are beginning to flex their collective muscle, out to a 57-36 lead.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 4.30PM: Football.
Echuca and Kyabram are playing out a ripping contest on Deakin Reserve.
The Bombers came out of half time with a five-point lead, but Echuca quickly hit the front again.
We’re in for a corking finish to the GVL decider. Kyabram have come to play and lead the reigning premiers by five points, 36-31! #MMGSport @RivSport pic.twitter.com/Q2hhPeLBYP
— Joshua Huntly (@JoshuaHuntly) September 24, 2023
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 4.30PM: Update.
Echuca are A-grade premiers, 35-31 over Euroa, with Sheridan Townrow best on court.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 3.30PM: Coverage.
Make sure you check out the sheppnews.com.au/sport tab for all of today’s content as it drops.
There’s already mountains of it there.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 3.24PM: Quarter time.
Quarter time in the senior football, Echuca and Kyabram are all-square at 2.2 (14) apiece.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 3.20PM: All square.
Brad Mangan goals and it’s 14-apiece in the senior football.
Euroa leads 7-6 in the A-grade decider.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 3.06PM: Morris opens scoring
Echuca’s Kane Morris runs into an open goal and slots the first of the game.
Murray Bombers lead 8-2.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 3PM: Seniors back and forth early
Echuca and Kyabram are testing each other out early, with the game a point apiece after almost 10 minutes.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2.30PM: Presentations
Robbie Mifka wins the Max Murley Medal for best player in the finals series, as awarded by the umpires.
Peter Ryan Medal for best player in the grand final, as awarded by the media, Ramadan Yze.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2.20PM: Shepparton United and Shepparton snare success.
Shepparton United win the reserves premiership by 13 points, after a five-goal turnaround in the final term.
Shepparton claim a 48-41 B-grade triumph over Echuca.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2.15PM: United will be premier.
Shepparton United slam two goals home and lead by 13 with 29 minutes gone.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2.05PM: Level again.
Seymour skipper Julian Morgan earns a free and kicks truly. Scores level.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER, 24, 2.02PM: Demons in front.
Jamie Atkinson goals, and Shepparton United lead by that margin. Red time to come.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2PM: YZE THE HERO?
Ramdan Yze has three last quarter goals for Shepparton United!
Scores are level at the D!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1.50PM: Demons not done yet!
Ramadan Yze has booted the first two goals of the last term, and the roof is threatening to come off the grandstand at Deakin Reserve.
Although as I type, Mitch Waite gets one back for the Lions and Levy Tejones strikes again for United!
Seymour by six points after eight minutes in the last term.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1.40PM: One quarter to go.
Seymour leads Shepparton United by three goals out on Deakin Reserve.
It’s been a hot spring day - will the Demons have enough legs left to give the Lions a shake?
In B-grade, Shepparton is winning a tight contest against Echuca, 26-23.
With his side down by 18 points at 3QT, Shepparton United’s reserves coach Jase Ritchie tells his players “they are still in this fight. #MMGSport pic.twitter.com/OIqjaQ9r0H
— Aydin Payne (@AydinPayne) September 24, 2023
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1.05PM: Thriller on court.
Echuca is B-reserve champion of the Goulburn Valley League after a stunning triumph over the Shepparton Swans.
The Murray Bombers goaled with mere seconds remaining to win 44-43, after staving off a fierce comeback from the red and white.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 12.55PM: Half time.
Seymour leads by four points at the main break of the reserves clash, it has been a tug-of-war affair thus far.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 12.45PM: Back and forth.
Seymour is starting to get on top out on Deakin Reserve, leading by 10 points with five minutes remaining in the first half.
It’s a thriller over in the B-reserve game, with Echuca leading by a goal over the Shepparton Swans late in the contest.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 12.30PM: Quarter time of the twos.
Shepparton United leads 14-9 at the first change of the reserves.
Duane Hueston among the goal-kickers for the Demons, winding back the clock on a perfect day for lead-up forwards.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 12.05PM: Reserves and B-reserve under way.
Seymour and Shepparton United are currently doing battle in the reserves football, while over on the netball court it is Echuca and the Shepparton Swans going head-to-head.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 11.55AM: Best on winners.
Echuca’s Noah Langborne wins the Freddo McMahon Medal for best afield, as voted by the media.
The umpires have deemed Makai Cronin best afield, and the Echuca star receives the AFL Vic Country Medal.
Echuca’s Sam Edgar was named the Garry Lyon medallist as best player of the finals series.
On the netball courts, Echuca’s Rose Byrne was named the 15-and-under MVP, while in the 17-and-under clash it was Demi Hendy for Mooroopna.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 11.40AM: Murray Bombers win.
Echuca wins a fourth Goulburn Valley League thirds flag in a row with a 14.11 (95) to 7.8 (50) triumph over the Shepparton Swans.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 11.25AM: Cats claim glory.
Mooroopna wins the 17-and-under netball 40-31 over Shepparton, giving the Cats their first GVL netball premiership.
It’s party time for Echuca in the thirds football, up by 46 points in red time of the final term.
Dominant quarter from Echuca headlined by Will Rohde’s double candy and goal. 9.9 (63) plays Shepparton’s 4.5 (29) heading into the last quarter. #MMGSport @RivSport pic.twitter.com/o0AxA8DZF9
— Joshua Huntly (@JoshuaHuntly) September 24, 2023
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 11.10AM: Echuca kick the first of the last.
Echuca has booted the first goal of the final term in the under-18 football, stretching the lead out to 40 points.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 11AM: Mooroopna in control.
Mooroopna leads Shepparton 30-22 at three-quarter-time of the 17-and-under netball.
The Cats are chasing their first GVL netball flag of any kind today.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 10.55AM: Rohde magic.
Echuca’s Will Rohde will be hard to beat for goal of the day after an effort on the run which included selling candy to a pair of Swans defenders.
The Murray Bombers have slammed on five goals to one in this third term of the under-18 football clash, and lead by 34 points approaching the final change.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 10.40AM: Echuca takes control.
Echuca leads 43-22 in a heated under-18 football clash.
Mooroopna led 7-5 over Shepparton at quarter time in the 17-and-under netball.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 10AM: Swans on the board.
The Shepparton Swans have managed their first goal of this thirds clash. And as I type, their second!
Echuca leads 22-15, seven minutes into the second quarter.
Check out heaps of photos from the 15-and-under netball, here: https://www.sheppnews.com.au/news/gallery-gvl-15-and-under-netball/
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 9.50AM: First champion crowned.
Echuca is the first winner of the day - taking out the 15-and-under netball in a 42-30 after a dominant final term.
The Murray Bombers lead in the under-18 football by 12 points at quarter time.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 9.30AM: Photos rolling in.
The photos are rolling in already from News snappers Rechelle Zammit and Megan Fisher, as well as Riverine Herald photographer Aidan Briggs.
I’ll have an extensive gallery for your shortly.
At the final change in the 15-and-under netball Echuca leads by two goals.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 9.10AM: Netball update.
Mooroopna has clawed its way back into the clash against Echuca in the first match of the day.
The Murray Bombers led by just one goal at half-time, with the third term beginning a short time ago.
The thirds football is only 20 minutes away from the first bounce.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 8.45AM: Action begins.
I had moved away from the netball courts to find a quiet spot to kick off this coverage (and get out of the way of the actual sports journalists) but what I’ve found is a techno rave blaring from within the Shepparton Swans’ rooms.
Not enough Taylor Swift for me, but I’m certainly ready to run out and win a hard ball nonetheless.
It’s quarter time over in the 15-and-under clash, with Echuca leading 11-6.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 8.30AM: The big day arrives!
Good morning all and sundry, it’s here - Goulburn Valley League grand final day has arrived.
It’s a corker of a day here at Deakin Reserve, with the 15-and-under netball clash between Mooroopna and Echuca about to begin.
A reminder, check down through this story for all of your previews and news from the lead-up to today’s matches.
Clear blue skies today at Deakin. Ready for some footy and netball. 📷@GVLeague @SheppNewsSport #MMGSport pic.twitter.com/K8cDw5yN6A
— Megan Fisher (@meganfsher) September 23, 2023
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 5.20PM: Statistical look, bye for now
The GVL Data lens has also been applied to the looming senior decider between Echuca and Kyabram.
Check it out here: https://www.sheppnews.com.au/gvl-data/gvl-data-breakdown-before-the-grand-final-bounce/
You can find more GVL Data stories, here: https://www.sheppnews.com.au/gvl-data/
That’s it from me for now - but remember, scroll down to see links to the mountains of content produced by MMG sports teams this week.
Check back in for live updates on Sunday, and don’t miss Monday’s editions of The News or the Riverine Herald, with even more mountains of coverage set to hit the news stands.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 4.30PM: Officials to debut
There will be plenty of fresh faces among the umpiring fraternity taking to the field on Sunday - with four of the contingent officiating in their first GVL grand final.
Jesse Robertson-Torres has more.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 4PM: Other news
It would be remiss of me not to mention last night’s big breaking news - that Shepparton product Adem Yze has been announced as Richmond’s head coach.
The Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame star finally getting a well-deserved shot at a main AFL coaching gig is great news, and has been received well across town today.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 3.50PM: More on the teams close-to-home
Plenty has and will be written about Sunday’s senior and A-grade clashes, but sprinkled across the lower grades are some Shepparton and Mooroopna-based outfits who are sure to have strong support this weekend.
The Shepparton Swans are taking on Echuca from 9.30am in the under-18 football.
Sports editor Aydin Payne headed out to training this week.
Read his match preview, here - https://www.sheppnews.com.au/sport/swans-youngsters-look-to-deliver-sought-after-thirds-flag/
Shepparton United faces a tough task against unbeaten Seymour in the reserves.
Sports reporter Liam Nash peeled back the layers of the clash, here.
Mooroopna is looking for its first netball premiership of any kind on Sunday - and will have two bites at the cherry.
Read sports reporter Jesse Robertson-Torres’ preview, here.
And Shepparton - as well as the Swans - will also be represented across the B-reserve, B-grade and 17-and-under matches on court.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 3PM: What you need to know
The GVL season comes to a close at Deakin Reserve on Sunday.
Here’s some key points of information:
Who is playing and what time?
Football: Seniors: Echuca vs Kyabram at 2.40pm. Reserves: Seymour vs Shepparton United at 11.55pm. Under-18s: Echuca vs Shepparton Swans at 9.30am.
Netball: A-grade: Echuca vs Euroa at 2.30pm. B-grade: Echuca v Shepparton at 1pm. B-reserve: Echuca v Shepparton Swans at 11.30am. 17-and-under: Shepparton v Mooroopna at 10am. 15-and-under: Mooroopna v Echuca at 8.30am.
Tickets
Tickets will be available at the gate on the day. Entry for adults is $15 and $6 for aged pensioners and children aged between 14 and 17. Kids under 14 can get in for free.
The Nixon St gate will be closed, with entry only available from the Harold St and Skene St gates.
Weather
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a sunny conditions with a high of 23°C, absolute perfect conditions for grand final day.
What if I can’t go?
There is good news for those who are unable to make it out to Shepparton for the games on Sunday, with every match set to be live-streamed.
The streams will be operated by Cluch TV. You can access the live-stream at https://cluch.tv/afl-sports/goulburn-valley-league/ or through the Cluch TV app.
The Cluch stream costs $11 for a day pass.
Thought I’d pop into Deakin Reserve on my walk and the deck is getting its final touches ahead of Sunday. The deck looks immaculate - bring on @GVLeague grand finals. #MMGSport pic.twitter.com/GgfegnNYR3
— Aydin Payne (@AydinPayne) September 22, 2023
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2.30PM: Kayne Pettifer learns result of injunction bid ahead of Sunday’s GVL grand final
Breaking news from sports editor Aydin Payne on Kayne Pettifer’s attempt to play for Kyabram on Sunday.
A decision has been made on whether Kayne Pettifer will be available to take the field in Sunday’s Goulburn Valley League grand final.
Kyabram will be without the champion forward for this weekend’s decider against Echuca after his bid to receive an injunction failed on Friday.
Pettifer is currently serving a five-match suspension after the 41-year-old was found guilty by the tribunal for kneeing Mansfield’s Luke Menhennet.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2PM: An overview
Hello and welcome to your one-stop shop for Goulburn Valley League content in the lead up to Sunday’s action.
I’ll go through some of the key stories and important information for you here in more detail ahead of grand final day itself, but you can check out links to various previews and features at the bottom of this page on your own time as well.
Pick up a copy of the Friday editions of the Shepparton News and Riverine Herald to see it all as well, or you can access their respective digital editions, here:
Shepparton News digital edition
Riverine Herald digital edition
On Sunday, this link will also be your key destination for our rolling coverage and live updates from Deakin Reserve.
And of course, the hot-button issue of the day, is Kayne Pettifer’s attempt to play in Sunday’s senior clash via a Supreme Court injunction.
I’ll have an update for you on that as soon as confirmation of the outcome arises.
In the meantime, send me an email on tyler.maher@mmg.com.au or tag me on X (formerly Twitter) @tylermaher5 or using the #MMGSport tag with any news or tidbits in the build up.
COVERAGE LINKS
Shepparton News editor