The Bears copped a brunt check first up, but still came away with the points.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton has begun its Goulburn Valley League title defence with a win - just.
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The Bears rivalled Deakin Reserve co-tenants Shepparton United on Good Friday evening and were given an early reality check on the focus required to go back-to-back.
A new-look Demons side, last year’s eighth-placed finishers took it right up to the reigning premiers, nearly handing Shepparton an early blow after it went undefeated through its entire 2025 campaign.
Matched throughout the majority of the contest, the Bears would hold the lead through long stretches but never escape a defiant Demons outfit.
A back-and-forth affair down the stretch, Shepparton goalers Kim Borger and Sophie Harmer sunk shots when it counted to ultimately hold off Shepparton United’s surge, winning by the thinnest of margins, 57 to 56.
Borger spoke post-match about the encounter, praising the Shinea Sali led Demons in the Deakin Derby battle.
“They’re a quality side, and they put a lot of work into their structures and how they play,” Borger said.
“Shinea is running a tight ship over there, so it’s always good to have that cross-town rivalry and have them be a really good quality side.
“The momentum of each quarter swung - one minute it was with us, one minute with them, it was tit-for-tat.
“Making sure we capitalised on our turnovers where we could was key.”
Borger stated the Bears, whilst revelling in the off-season of its drought breaking flag, needed to turn its focus fully into the season ahead, in what she accepts is a required mentality switch.
“I said at the start that it’s a new season, as much as we won last season and want to hang onto that as much as we can because it was a long time coming, we’ve got to move on from it unfortunately,” she said.
“It’s a new season, and we’re trying to keep building on what we’ve done.”
Shepparton United's Shinea Sali fires a chest pass.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton United Abby Gilmore hustles down the court.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton United's Montanna Burke looks for a free Demon.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton's Kim Borger shoots close to the net.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton Unted's Shinea Sali spoils a tight pass.
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Megan Fisher
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Shepparton United’s Olivia Kirby makes her presence known.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton United's Abby Gilmore pivots.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton's Sophie Harmer watches a shot sail.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The challenges continue for the Bears next week, taking on Seymour, the only side to draw with Shepparton in its unbeaten 2025 campaign.
The Lions defeated Benalla by 23 goals on Saturday, 51 to 28, showing signs they’ll be around the mark again in 2026.
“For us we’ve just got to make sure we play our game, our brand of netball,” Borger said.
“We like to move the ball, short and sharp, so for us it’s making sure we focus on doing that, rather than our opponent.”
Around the courts, Rochester began its GVL campaign with a significant win over an embattled Kyabram outfit, claiming a Good Friday win 87 to 22.
Euroa may have faced a couple of key departures in the off-season but showed no signs of a fall from grace on Saturday, dispatching Mansfield by 33 goals, 37 to 70, while Echuca delivered a thrilling three-goal win over Tatura, 40 to 37.
Mooroopna defeated Shepparton Swans in Saturday night’s fixture, 45 to 31.
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