GMJL ǀ Gallery ǀ Swans overcome Shepparton Notre Maroon in pulsating grand final classic

By James Kleeman

Sep 6, 2022

Premiers: Shepparton Swans’ under-15s celebrate after the game. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

‘‘Reward’’ was the word Shepparton Swans coach Chris Kendall used to describe his side’s under-15 Goulburn Murray Junior League premiership triumph.

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The Swans surged past Shepparton Notre Maroon to claim the flag with a 7.8 (50) to 6.3 (39), after a superb second-half effort at Deakin Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

Heading into the decider as slight underdogs, it was the boys in red and white which got off to the better start, kicking the first two goals of the game and managing to keep their opponents scoreless in the first term.

The big men fly: Shepparton Swans’ Connor Fallon and Shepparton Notre Maroon’s Cruz Bray contest in the ruck. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

As expected, Shepparton responded in the second quarter and kicked three goals to the Swans’ one, teeing up a thrilling second half with three points separating the two sides at the main change.

“It was a tough, competitive game the whole way through,” Kendall said.

“We were up against it for most of the game, but the resilience of these kids is unbelievable, we kept knocking the ball forward again and again, and our pressure and tackling was immense.

Tough contest: Shepparton Notre Maroon’s Zavier Davidson throws it on the boot under pressure from Shepparton Swans’ Jack Walters. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“The key for us was we viewed this as a battle, a war of 22 versus 22, we wanted the boys to stand up and be leaders and pick each other up when we were down.”

With the end in sight, the two sides stepped it up a notch after the main change, with both sides eager to seize the big moments when the game was there to be won.

Shepparton gained ascendancy in the third quarter with two goals to one, but the Swans would rise in the final term and kicked the first of the fourth to get back in front.

Sing it with gusto: Shepparton Swans sing the song on the field at Deakin after the game. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

A superb Baxter Plunkett grab and set shot conversion right in front pushed the margin out to 10 points with minutes remaining, but Nehemiah Lemke ensured Notre wouldn’t go down without a fight with a big goal minutes later to bring his side back to within a goal.

With full time nearing, Swans’ Max Bicknell sent the crowd into raptures with a match-winning goal in the shadows of the fourth which put the game to bed.

A captain’s effort and two goals from Shepparton’s Max Hooper caught the eye, but claiming best-on-ground was Swans hard-nut Jye McDonald, who dominated through the midfield.

Spearing it forward: Shepparton Notre Maroon’s Jordan McManus hits it long. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“Jye’s had an amazing year,” Kendall said.

“His aggression — he scares people — he’s so determined, see ball get ball is what he does.”

Kendall said his side’s win over tough opposition was a huge reward for effort after the ‘’journey’’ his side had been on during the past two years.

“Credit to Shepparton, they’re what we strive to be as a club in how they develop their players — they’re going to be a powerhouse in the next few years,” Kendall said.

Lining it up: Shepparton Swans’ Dashiell Smith looks to get it on the boot. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“But it’s relief and reward for the boys, the kids have worked incredibly hard, we always discuss 100-120 hours of practice and game time to get to where we are, that was the last 120 minutes of football today and they’ve won a grand final.

“Finals footy hasn’t been around for two years, just the vibe and atmosphere today was amazing, the support for the kids was just great.”

A mammoth under-13 grand final unfolded earlier that day at Deakin Reserve, with Echuca Murray Bombers claiming a thrilling 9.3 (57) to 8.6 (54) win over Tatura.