Ned Byrne’s journey from Shepparton junior to VFL hopeful

An inside midfielder who has no trouble finding the footy for the Bears — and last year the Murray Bushrangers — Byrne, as he has become renowned for, is focused on putting the hard yards in as he waits for his chance.

Meanwhile, he’s rubbing shoulders with the likes of Nick Daicos and Tom Mitchell, saying he’s stoked to be a “sponge” in his efforts to learn, as he recalls the lead up to his VFL recruitment.

“Bushies got me a pre-season there; (I) played a couple of practice matches then had the contract on the back of that,” Byrne said.

“I worked hard all pre-season; the coaches are really good there and I was super-stoked to get the contract.

“It’s elite; the coaches, the facilities, it’s all unreal. I’ve got a couple of good mates there, including Wattsy (Jacob Watts), he’s been super as well; I’m just lapping it up with him.”

The 19-year-old is averaging 26 disposals, seven clearances and seven tackles a game for the Bears and may soon join the slew of Collingwood-Goulburn Valley connections, which includes fellow talents Riley Mason (Seymour) and the Mahoney brothers, Harry and Max (Mansfield), on the field soon enough.

But for now, when not putting in the work studying for his Sport and Exercise Science degree, he can focus his efforts towards helping drive Shepparton’s 2025 campaign.

A Shepparton junior rising through the ranks, Byrne made his senior debut in 2022, becoming a mainstay of the Bears’ engine room after a positional switch from the backline.

Now, he’s hoping he can produce a core memory with his childhood club of the kind he recalls from the Bears' famous two-point grand final victory over Kyabram in 2018.

“I remember I was in Year 6 during that 2018 flag; I was sprinting onto the ground and it was unreal,” Byrne said.

“It was absolute scenes, I remember everyone just flooding onto the oval and getting among it.

“Now, I’m playing alongside them.”

Byrne pointed towards the connection through the ranks at Deakin Reserve has laid some of the groundwork to build this team of contenders for the GVL crown.

“What’s really good is the connection between all the senior and junior groups,” he said.

“There’s always the senior lads getting down to the junior games and support from the junior lads at senior games is perfect.

“I think that’s what builds those connections and definitely what’s built my connection with the club growing up, watching guys like Ted (Lindon) and Xav (Stevenson). They have been really good, letting me play with a bit of freedom.”

His focus will turn back towards home as the Bears hope to make amends for their 17-point defeat to Mansfield when they host Seymour at Deakin Reserve.

Byrne admitted it’s an even competition this season and, after winning its first four games, Shepparton has dropped two on the trot to drop to fifth on the ladder.

But if they can mimic the mindset of their young star, the Bears will back themselves to tame the Lions.

“I just want to keep ticking all the right boxes,” he said.

“Especially with all the VFL stuff – hopefully I can sneak a couple of games in.”

Elsewhere, Rochester welcomes Tatura to Moon Oval in a game it’ll be expected to win.

The two remaining unbeaten sides, Kyabram and Shepparton Swans, will also be tipped to stay that way.

The Bombers, after handing Echuca a rare defeat, face Mooroopna at Kyabram Recreation Reserve, while the Swans are back at Princess Park against a winless Shepparton United.

Euroa and Benalla lock horns to add to their one-win records, while an intriguing High Country clash between Mansfield and Echuca looks set to mould the make-up of the top six further.