Because by the final whistle at Endeavour Hills, the proud regional club had claimed a remarkable fourth consecutive premiership, cementing its status as one of Victoria’s dominant local rugby forces.
But this year’s grand final bore no resemblance to the come-from-behind, underdog bouts of the past three years.
Wearing the favourites tag for most of the 2026 season, the Bulls delivered on that billing with a comprehensive 52-7 victory against their metropolitan counterparts, adding more silverware to a trophy cabinet already displaying last week’s divisional title.
Victorious Shepparton coach Moronae Silaga said it was a different challenge this time around.
“The difference between this year and last year was the pressure was on us this year,” Silaga said.
“We were always the favourites going into the competition this year; the last three years was more of us going into the finals as the underdog, so there was no pressure.
“We just wanted to prove that we can do it, where this year we have something to lose.”
From the jump, Shepparton played like it as well.
The line-breaking Bulls provided a glimpse into the barrage to come with Mitieli Mateiwai breaking through for his side’s first try of the game, Troy Onosai making the first of his five conversions for the game for the perfect start.
The Bulls repelled a sparse amount of Power House advances before the electric Alo Paulo split their defence again, handing the ball off to a charging Sailosi Turaga for their second try.
Central to Shepparton’s attacking drive were co-captains Josua Tikoduadua and Samuela Waqarerevaki, and the former found another gap in the Power House line to extend the Bulls margin to 19 points.
Power House scored a reply on the eve of half-time, but it would be their sole strike of the grand final.
Tiraga scored his second try shortly after the restart before Tikoduadua set up Paulo for the sealer, doubling that soon after Viliame Liga crossed the line for his sole try.
Kitione Saurara brought it home for the Bulls, and a buoyant blue and green army erupted into cheers as the whistle blew to signal Shepparton’s triumph.
Alo Paulo’s grand final heroics saw him judged man-of-the-match.
“We know what we have to do, what we know, what we can achieve if we just stick together as a team and just play together as a team as well,” Silaga said.
“They showed they really want it and the outcome showed at the end of the game.
“Quite a few performed well but the standout on the day was our co-captain Josua.
“He played really well on defence, and on attack he’s one of our very experienced, very skilled players.
“Alo Paulo’s speed from the backline to finish off the hard work of the forwards, to score a few points from his carries and from his set-ups, he was the man of the match.
“Samuela our captain also lead from the front.”
The Bulls have again confirmed their billing as one of Victoria’s premier rugby clubs, an impressive result given the amount of kilometres they traverse throughout the course of a season.
But it’s the backing of the Bulls community that has helped spur the northern-based squad to a dynasty-continuing championship, and Silaga paid tribute to the faithful.
“We all know it was very challenging journey this year, but we are all very grateful for the participation and being part of the Shepparton Bulls,” he said.
“I think we achieved what we have achieved this year because of their support.
“We’re very grateful to our community for coming out, supporting us, especially when you have games in Endeavour Hills like, three-and-a-half hours away from Shepparton, games happening in Geelong
“The travel is long but the community always turns up and cheer for us.
“We're very so grateful for them, for those motivations and helping us to get where we are at the moment.”
Conference Cup grand final
Shepparton 57 def Power House 7
Tries: Alo Paulo 2, Sailosi Turaga 2, Viliame Liga, Mitieli Mateiwai, Josua Tikoduadua
