Shepparton's Xavier Lewis plays on from the kick out.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
All three Shepparton football sides will play in a respective Goulburn Valley League grand final this week, but one team in particular stands out most.
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While the Bears’ under-18s are on the charge for back-to-back in their age division, and the seniors are competing in their second decider in three years, it has been a 21-year wait for the development squad at Deakin Reserve.
Shepparton finished third on the reserves ladder in 2026 with a 14-4 record, but leapt past second-placed Kyabram in the preliminary final on Sunday, 14.12 (96) to 10.8 (68), despite 39 and 32-point losses to the Bombers earlier in the season.
Shepparton's Xavier Lewis plays on from the kick out.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton's Tom Moylan and Kyabram's William Wild get to know one another.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Kyabram's Brenton Brasier and Shepparton's Jakob Ayres duel in the ruck.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Kyabram's Jackson Barnett searches for an inside 50 target.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton's Tom Moylan skillfully scoops up the Sherrin.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Kyabram's Jarryd Pertzel has a snap.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Kyabram's Oskar Shortis is mown down by Shepparton's Zaydan Leocata.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton's Ben Moylan positions for an uncontested mark.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Kyabram's Jarryd Pertzel celebrates a snag.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Kyabram's William Wild gloves the football as teammate Riley Carver shepherds away Shepparton's Tom Moylan.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
It marks the Bears’ first entrance into a reserves grand final since the 2005 twos flag, a feat which boggles the mind of reserves coach Tim Kelly.
“I can’t believe how far we’ve come,” Kelly said.
“We always knew we had a really talented list, but to actually perform over the last few weks and get into the grand final, it’s made a lot of people really happy.
“It’s a product of our junior program and the support that we’ve had for these group of boys, because a lot of them have come through our junior program and have had really good junior coaches and people that really love the club.
“It’s exciting for everybody.”
The Bears will have a mighty challenge if they are to sweep up the silverware on Saturday afternoon, with Echuca’s reserves yet to lose a game in 2026.
“They’re a very very strong team, both with contested ball and the outside run as well,” Kelly said.
“We matched it with them for a half in the second semi-final, but then they just stepped it up another gear, so yeah, it will be a massive challenge.
“We’ll come up with some strategies though and hopefully we can make a good run at it.”
The Goulburn Valley League reserves grand final begins at 11:45am on Sunday at Deakin Reserve.
