Sport

Golfers and Redlegs triumphs set up blockbuster grand final rematch

By Josh Huntly

Oct 26, 2026

Shepparton Golf’s Alan Dove was influential for his side. Photo by Megan Fisher

A grand final rematch is looming, and Allan Matheson Shield pacesetters Shepparton Golf and Tallygaroopna have been in brilliant form heading into the blockbuster.

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The Goulburn Valley Playing Area’s division one contenders will head into this weekend’s showdown unbeaten, and based on the glittering form lines of each side, another memorable encounter could be on the cards.

In round three, the Golfers came into Saturday’s clash against East Shepparton with back-to-back 40-shot wins behind it, but East had more resistance up its sleeve.

Golf’s Brad Orr split the first rink with East Shepparton’s Shane Holmes 21 apiece after a final-end three, but the ladder leaders had more luck on the other three with John Gribble (20-14), Alan Dove (22-16), and Kris Ferguson (19-18) conjuring another strong result for the blue and gold.

It’s the latest in a string of early dominance for Shepparton Golf, and as a result they’ll spend another week on top of the Matheson Shield ladder.

But that billing will go on the line in round four against a Tallygaroopna squad hell-bent on keeping the pressure on.

The reigning premiers had Shepparton Golf's measure in the 2025-26 grand final and are once again among the division's strongest contenders, also remaining undefeated after accounting for Euroa.

Euroa skip Tony Kingma delivered a first-rink victory but the visitors were overpowered elsewhere around the greens, Geoff Franze’s quartet delivering the Redleg’s biggest win of the day in 16-shot result against Shane Drysdale.

Mitch Sidebottom earned a two-shot win over Ken Sutcliffe on his return from Australian Championship duties, while Leigh Clark’s four (24-15) rounded out a measured Tallygaroopna performance.

Elsewhere, Shepparton Park made no mistake against Mooroopna, sweeping all rinks to record a commanding 30-shot victory.

Ray Hill’s four earned a 13-shot win while Ross Higgins (19-10), Shane Edwards (22-20), and Paul Nichols (25-19) sealed the 18-89 to 0-59 result.

Meanwhile, Tatura Hill Top edged their way into the top four with a hard-fought five-shot victory over Seymour VRI.

Brendan Challis (22-14) claimed Seymour’s sole rink win but Bulldog skips Josh Warren (26-16), Brendan Boyd (21-20) and Jason Carter (22-20) were up for the challenge of spurring the side to a second win.