New Shepp South coach set for stern Strathdale test

Seven months on, the minor premiers will be hoping to pick up from where they left off during their previous regular season campaign as they tallied up 10 wins from 14 outings en route to glory last time out.

The boys in the black and white stripes will make the 121 km trip to Strathdale Stadium looking to lay down an early marker in the division against a team that finished sixth in the standings last term.

Despite its impressive regular season showing across 2025, South’s BASL adventure eventually ran aground at the hands of foes Shepp United as they lost to their neighbours in the grand final showpiece.

The new season presents the Southerners with ample opportunity to avenge that Super Cup Final heartbreak, however.

Having been installed at the helm during the off-season, South coach Brooker has been putting his charges through their paces in the lead up to the new campaign since before December.

“I’m very excited to become the senior coach of Shepp South,” the 29-year-old said.

“I was super-pumped when offered the role, and we’ve been training since pre-December and working hard for round one.”

Strathdale Stadium has proven a tough hunting ground for South over the past 12 months, and they were made to work for the three points in a close-fought 3-2 victory on the road last July.

Reflecting on that recent away clash with Strathdale, South coach Brooker described how they can serve as an important learning experience for his players ahead of the season opener.

“Strathdale is a pretty good team at home, and the games we played against them last year were very tight scorelines.

“Always with travel comes challenges, but I think the squad is ready to overcome them.”

Formerly a player with the GV Suns, Brooker makes no secret of his determination to succeed after assuming the South hot seat.

“We’ve changed our playing style a little bit since last year and the majority of the group has returned,” he said.

“We’ve been able to keep our defensive block from last year, which is a real strength of ours and we’ve been able to add some attacking combinations.

“We’ve also had new players come in, like Declan Kinnane and Leighton Payne from the GV Suns and Marley.

Having coached since he was a teenager growing up in Griffith, NSW, Brooker also has worked with the GV Suns Ballarat City Junior teams.

“As I am getting older towards the end of my career, I’ve always been eyeing up becoming a coach and taking a senior role is something that’s always interested me,” he said, as he embarks on his next chapter.

“I’ve coached for many years and I started when I was 13 - recently I got my coaching licenses, I’ve done my C Diploma and I’m currently doing my B-Diploma, so it’s something that really excites me.”

Brooker has lived in Shepparton for several years now, and his pride was palpable as he described his joy at getting the opportunity to lead South into battle this season.

“I watched Shepp South in my teenager years and even younger in the Griffith Competition,” he said.

“So I know that this is a big club, even from those days and I understand this is an important role.

“I’m privileged to be the coach - it’s inspiring to help the club progress.”

Former stars Craig Mathieson, Ryan Hopping and Nick Murphy have followed ex-coach Luke Viney out of the exit door since last season.

Meanwhile, Brooker has been tasked with ushering in a new era at John McEwen Reserve after the signings of Declan Kinnane, Malivai Daninthe, Lleyton Pain and Ali Naveed.

“It’s a cliché, but it’s just part of the job,” the head coach said.

Shepparton South senior men’s team kicks off its FV Greater Bendigo League 1 campaign with a Round 1 away clash against Strathdale at 3pm on April 11.

South’s women’s side recently competed in the Nike Cup, falling to a 7-0 defeat versus Dynamo Melbourne at the first hurdle.

Following on from that knockout result, the Shepp side will turn its eyes to its local league campaign opener against Eaglehawk next week, holding the bye in round one.