Saturday, October 3, 2015
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Rival coaches Luke Morgan (Benalla) and Justin Sherman (Kyabram) have a good grip of the Hastie Perpetual Cup, the prize on offer for the winner of tomorrow’s Goulburn Valley Football League grand final. Picture: Ray Sizer
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2015 Welcome to The News’ Goulburn Valley Football League grand final lift-out
GVFNL Grand Final Preview INDEX Cover: Rival coaches Luke Morgan (Benalla) and Justin Sherman (Kyabram) take a close look at the Hastie Perpetual Cup, the prize on offer for the winner of tomorrow’s Goulburn Valley Football League grand final. Picture: Ray Sizer. Page 2: Welcome, GVFL Grand Final coverage via the News online, radio and internet streaming. Page 3: Oliver Caffrey looks back at five magic moments in GVFL grand final history. Page 4: Oliver Caffrey provides an in-depth look at Benalla coach Luke Morgan, who reflects on last year’s heart-breaking loss to Shepparton Swans and why the Saints are primed to go one better this time around. Page 5: Eamonn Tiernan tells of the journey Justin Sherman took from Tasmania through the AFL and suburban football before making his way to Kyabram as senior coach. Pages 6-7: Football Grand Final teams. Where is your favourite player going to be lining up in the big one? We also run our eye over the key men for the Saints and Bombers. Also what you need to know ahead of tomorrow’s clash. Page 8: Lower grade football and netball previews. The inside word from our sports reporters. Page 9: Georgina Cahill provides her analysis on how the Goulburn Valley Netball League grand final will unfold. The two teams for the big game. Page 10: Georgina Cahill takes a look at what makes opposing coaches Ash Chapman (Seymour) and Gina Pearson (Echuca) tick, and examine why their two clubs have enjoyed such successful seasons. Page 11: Ready to rumble. Seymour and Echuca eye off premiership success in the Goulburn Valley Netball League grand final.
THE TEAM BEHIND YOUR GRAND FINAL GUIDE Journalists: Oliver Caffrey, Georgina Cahill, Eamonn Tiernan, Gregor Mactaggart. Graphic Artist: Jock Spencer. Photography: Ray Sizer. Sub-editors: Ron Anderson, Wendy Russell, Diane Lee-Davie, Monique Preston.
By Gregor Mactaggart This 12-page edition features all you need to know about of what shapes as a history-making day at Deakin Reserve tomorrow. Premierships are so cherished because they are mighty hard to win. Just ask Benalla, which went through to last year’s grand final undefeated only to fall at the final hurdle by just three points. The Saints are back, bigger and better, 12 months on in a bid to end a premiership drought stretching back to 1973. Benalla produced arguably its best performance of the season to smash Rochester in the preliminary final and returns to Shepparton intent on going one better this time around. So long has it been since a flag was hoisted in Benalla, the Saints were not even the Saints and played in a different competition. The year was 1973 and the Benalla Demons, as they were then, won the
Ovens and Murray Football League crown thanks to a seven-point victory against North Albury.
Echuca are playing off to be crowned as the Goulburn Valley Netball League’s premier for season 2015.
Standing in Benalla’s way come 2.35pm will be Kyabram.
The Lions finished as minor premiers, but had to travel the hard road into the decider after the Murray Bombers prevailed when these clubs met in the opening week of the post-season.
The Bombers faithful do not have to go back too far to reminisce about the ultimate success. Kyabram was crowned the Goulburn Valley Football League’s kings in 2013 and are back, this time under a new coach in Justin Sherman and new captain in Josh Vick. The Bombers have 13 players who played in that flag triumph against Shepparton United, a statistic which only helps Kyabram’s cause leading into the big dance. Debate rages on just who will triumph, but one thing is for sure, Shepparton will turn on its best spring day for the grand final.
Legends are made on grand final day and at The News our journalists and photographers are proud recorders of history. Just as our predecessors have done, the News team will endeavour to provide our readers with the most in-depth and finest coverage of the GVFL and GVNL grand finals. So in closing, good luck to all the teams, their friends, families and supporters. Gregor Mactaggart is The News Sports Editor.
From the football ground across to the netball courts where Seymour and
Your full coverage RADIO / ON-LINE
There is no excuse for you to not know what is happening on grand final day. The News will be providing live score updates of all the Goulburn Valley football and netball deciders via our Twitter handle @SheppNewsSport.
Alternatively you can follow sports journalists Oliver Caffrey (@SN_OliverCaffrey), Georgina Cahill (@SN_Georgina Cahill) and Eamonn Tiernan (@Eamonn_ Tiernan). The Goulburn Valley Football League
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website is providing a live stream from 9am of all three matches. Those people more atuned to radio are also well and truly catered for with 98.5 One FM providing live broadcasts of the three football grand finals.
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SHEPPARTON NEWS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015
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2015 Grand and glorious days GVFNL Grand Final Preview
News sports reporter Oliver Caffrey takes a look back at five of the greatest grand final moments in the history of Goulburn Valley Football League. Shepparton v Rochester 1993 This moment frequently gets brought up across the Goulburn Valley 22 years later. Shepparton supporters recall it being one of the greatest moments in club, and possibly league, history, while Rochester faithful are still scarred by what could have been back-to-back premierships for David Williams and his Tigers. In the most dramatic GVFL grand final finish, the ball was bounced by umpire Greg Freer in Shepparton’s forward pocket with three seconds to play. The ball had barely hit the ground when the siren sounded with Tigers fans and players rejoicing thinking they had claimed another flag. How wrong they were. Freer’s whistle sounded among the pandemonium, signalling a free kick for a high tackle on the Maroons’ (that was Shepparton’s nickname then) Adam Houlihan. Shepparton’s destiny was in the hands of Houlihan, who took his kick from 30 m out on a testing angle. Houlihan calmly went back and kicked the ball through for a goal to give the Maroons a two-point win and write his name into country football folklore. Shepparton centreman Dean Strauch dominated the game and took out the Wilf Cox Medal for best-on-ground, while ruck rover Stephen Ash and forward Anthony Mellington were exceptional.
Kyabram v Euroa 1975 There tends to be long periods between Kyabram premierships, so when the Bombers break through in a grand final, it is a memorable occasion. Peter Lyon’s Bombers of 1975 gathered this year to celebrate four decades since the historic flag win against Euroa. The Kyabram faithful had endured 16 long seasons with the ultimate success being when the Bombers
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blown away by Shepparton United. ‘‘You could see the rot setting in,’’ Smith said. ‘‘So I said to the boys this might be the last time this group is together, so we’ll sing the club song. ‘‘We sung it once, but we sung it a second time with a bit more gusto and feeling.’’ It set the tone for the second half as the Cats ran away with a famous 16-point win. ‘‘We changed 17 of the 18 positions, apart from myself up forward, we put all our best runners into the centre of the ground and it started to turn in our favour.’’
Euroa v Rochester 1990 One for the ages: Shepparton’s Adam Houlihan is hoisted into the air after kicking the grand final-winning goal after the siren against Rochester in 1993.
Bang: Adam Houlihan kicks the winning goal for Shepparton. took on the Magpies. Lyon was coming to the end of an illustrious playing and coaching career, but he still wowed the crowd at Deakin Reserve in a memorable performance up forward. The News wrote about Lyon’s heroics with fellow Bombers players Bill Fry and Peter Warburton on September 29, 1975. ‘‘Another great display of football artistry at full-forward which will be long remembered by connoisseurs as an exhibition.’’ Kyabram went into three-quarter time all-square with Euroa, which was led brilliantly by the late Murray Gall. But the Bombers were able to stifle the Magpies in the final quarter, limiting the black and white army to two behinds, while booting 3.2 themselves to take the flag by 18 points. Kyabram had to wait 21 more years after that success before another premiership was brought back to the town when Peter White led the Bombers to victory in 1996. Bombers supporters will be hoping
the trend of a long time between premierships ends tomorrow and they can add another flag to the one they won in 2013.
Shepparton Swans v Benalla 2014 Long-time supporters of the GVFL have called this one of the strangest grand finals on record. Benalla and Shepparton Swans both went into the game looking to end premiership droughts stretching back more than 40 years. The Saints went into the game as redhot favourite after going through the entire season undefeated, while the Swans were rated a sneaky chance after almost pinching a win against Luke Morgan’s side in the qualifying final three weeks earlier. With a blustery wind at Deakin Reserve ensuring skills were well down on normal, the Swans handled the conditions the best and held on for an extraordinary premiership 44 years in the making. Brett Warburton’s Swans managed just one behind in the final quarter, but were still able to hold off Benalla, which had most of the play for the final term and could not execute in
front of goal. Names like Dan Lovick, Tyson Sidebottom, Jamason Daniels and Tom Preece delivered heroic performances that will never be forgotten by Swans supporters. On the other side, Lachie Smith played a lone hand in the backline and almost single-handedly brought the flag back to Benalla because he was a class above and showed why he was rookie-listed at Collingwood.
Mooroopna v Shepparton United 1986 This game is not only memorable for being the last time Mooroopna tasted premiership success, but also for a unique half-time approach that sparked an incredible Cats comeback. What do you do when you go into the main break of a grand final 30 points down? Sing the team song of course. Not once, but twice. Former Fitzroy player Chris Smith, who was coaching Mooroopna that day, recalled earlier this year he had to try something different, otherwise his side would have been
It was tough and brutal, but Euroa ended the 1990 grand final with a 17-point win to break a 19-year premiership drought. In the same year Collingwood won its first VFL/AFL flag in 32 years, its fellow Magpies delivered a grand final performance for the ages at Deakin Reserve The Magpies were down and out late in the third quarter, with the Tigers storming to a 26-point lead thanks to seven goals from full-forward Adam Edwards. Three late goals to end the third term gave Euroa all the momentum going into the last quarter, before running over the top of Rochester with some exhilarating play. The scene was set early in the game as Euroa strongman Dean Lupson took down key Rochester defender Ross Andrews in the opening minutes of the first quarter and was reported. Andrews was carried off on a stretcher and took no further part in the game. Lupson was, incredibly, suspended for the entire 1991 season as umpires’ advocate Peter Richards demanded the tribunal hand out a heavy sentence. ‘‘Not a more severe, malicious and brutal hit could have been found,’’ Richards said. ‘‘The force of the blow would have to be rated as a 10.’’
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SHEPPARTON NEWS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015
2015 Morgan ponders what ifs GVFNL Grand Final Preview
AFTER GOING THROUGH THE TORMENT OF LAST YEAR’S LOSS COACH PLANS FOR SAINTS’ REDEMPTION By Oliver Caffrey What if he had coached differently? What if a kick at goal in the dying minutes had bounced the way Benalla needed it to? Just what if even one of the 15 behinds the Saints kicked had sailed through the two middle posts? It is more than 12 months on, but those are just some of the scenarios that regularly go through Luke Morgan’s mind about the Saints’ heartbreaking Goulburn Valley Football League grand final loss to Shepparton Swans last year. Benalla suffered an upset of gigantic proportions in the biggest game of the year, falling three points short of being forever known as the only GVFL team to complete a perfect unbeaten season. ‘‘There’s not a day that has gone by this year when I haven’t regretted some of the things I didn’t do, or that didn’t go our way, or didn’t happen that day,’’ Morgan said. ‘‘We didn’t do well enough on the day and the Swans won, but it’s not something I’ll ever get over, it will always be a missed opportunity.’’ The post-match scenes were of utter devastation for the Benalla faithful, as players, coaches and supporters mourned as one. Grand final losses always produce images of players left shattered, but the impact of this was at a level seldom seen on any sporting arena. Players numbed by the pain buried their heads into the Deakin Reserve turf for minutes, as tears f lowed openly, with the Swans faithful celebrating their first premiership in 44 years around them. The joy of winning and
the utter pain of defeat could not have been on display more than it was in the 20 minutes following the final siren. A blown chance like this was going to lead to one of two outcomes for Benalla heading into this season. The Saints would either implode, unable to comprehend how they had come so close to ending the club’s premiership drought, or they would form a tighter bond to somehow get back to the point of being able to redeem letting a f lag slip away. Benalla has earned another shot at being crowned premier as it faces Kyabram tomorrow, but it has done it in very different fashion to a year ago. ‘‘We rallied together really well after the grand final, there was no finger pointing about what went wrong, we just kept together and got behind each other, because we were all hurting,’’ Morgan said. ‘‘But we’ve been very good in retaining players from last year’s grand final side, most guys that ran out on Deakin last year are still at the club. ‘‘Every player handled the loss differently, we all know it was a missed opportunity, but everyone went about it in their own little way.’’ While Morgan was adamant before this season Benalla didn’t have to lose during the season to go on and win the premiership, the Saints approached the start of the campaign differently. Key players like Al Jacka and Jordan Wolff went on an overseas trip early in the season and missed a number of games, while members from outside the regular side were given opportunities to play seniors.
On a mission: Benalla coach Luke Morgan is hoping for a Picture: Holly Curtis change of grand final fortunes tomorrow. But it turned out the Saints did not even have to worry about the potential burden of going through another season undefeated after losing to Euroa on a famous night at Memorial Oval in round three. No-one inside the Benalla camp was too concerned directly following that defeat, but then the losses kept piling up. Being taken down by quality sides in Kyabram and Rochester was forgivable given how early it was
in the season, but a home loss to Shepparton United in front of a blockbuster crowd at Benalla Showgrounds in a rare Sunday game made the Saints realise they had to get their act together. Benalla then strung together 12 wins before losing the second semi-final to Kyabram and forcing the Saints into a preliminary final, where they smashed Rochester last Sunday to progress to the decider against the Bombers. Morgan said he was
unsure if the different road to the grand final had been a benefit to his team, but he would have a better idea tomorrow night. ‘‘I think that’s something we’ll wait and see on, but it definitely hasn’t hurt us,’’ Morgan said. ‘‘I was definitely relieved last Sunday night knowing we were in the grand final again, but that quickly subsided on the trip back to Benalla. ‘‘Even before I got back home I was already thinking towards Kyabram and what we were going to have to do to beat them. ‘‘It was a sense of achievement knowing we were there, but there’s that bigger goal ahead for us.’’ If the Saints are able to redeem their performance in last year’s grand final, it would top off an eventful three years since Morgan took on the Benalla coaching job as a 23-year-old. The former Murray Bushrangers co-captain boldly declared the Saints could be premiership contenders within two or three seasons when he was appointed. His optimistic approach was exactly what Benalla needed after a dire 2012 campaign where the club won two games and collected a wooden spoon. The Saints backed up their coach’s positive preseason talk in 2013, storming to second on the ladder and winning 14 games during the home-and-away season as Morgan claimed the Morrison Medal in his debut year in the GVFL by a landslide margin. Benalla bowed out of the finals in straight sets to Kyabram and the Swans, but the club was now in a position only Morgan and diehard Saints supporters could have imagined coming this quickly.
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While the Saints have won 50 out of 62 games during Morgan’s tenure, it has not always been easy going. The club has been forced to deal with extreme adversity as it searches for that elusive premiership. During the past few years, Benalla has had to deal with the tragedy of having four club members die unexpectedly and Saints legend John ‘‘Shorty’’ Martiniello, father of star players Will and Jimmy, suffered a heart attack while umpiring a reserves game at Rochester last season. There were also distractions leading into the past two finals series involving incidents in the last game of the home-and-away seasons. Will Martiniello was left with a broken jaw during a game against Seymour and missed the Saints’ first two finals last year, before returning for the grand final when clearly not at full fitness. This year, star forward Josh Mellington was rubbed out for the entire finals series after being reported against Euroa, before winning an appeal with AFL Victoria, much to the relief of the Benalla faithful. ‘‘We’ve been through a fair bit as a footy club, so it would mean a lot to people around the club and the town if we’re able to break through,’’ Morgan said. ‘‘There won’t be any demons or anything from last year or past history out there from any of the playing group; if there are nerves it will just be the normal nerves that come from being in a grand final. ‘‘The close connection of our playing group to achieve something together would be pretty special, but we have to get past the next four quarters to do that.’’
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SHEPPARTON NEWS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015
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2015 Sherman-ation to succeed GVFNL Grand Final Preview
COACH IS DRIVEN TO BE THE BEST HE CAN BE AND HOPES TO DELIVER KYABRAM COMMUNITY ANOTHER FLAG By Eamonn Tiernan Justin Sherman’s path to the Kyabram Football Club has been an extraordinary one. The Hobart-raised Sherman hopes to win his second senior flag tomorrow, 11 years after first tasting premiership glory as a teenager with Tasmanian State League side Clarence. A superstar in the Tasmanian junior ranks Sherman prepared for the 2004 draft alongside the likes of Buddy Franklin, Brett Deledio, Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis. ‘‘Those players have gone on to be so dominant for their footy clubs and to actually end up at Deledio’s junior club is pretty ironic because we’ve stayed pretty tight over the journey,’’ Sherman said. Sherman was a bottom age pick taken 45th overall by Brisbane and relocated north aged 17. ‘‘It was like going from a goldfish pond to the wide open world, I had to learn very quickly how to stand on my own two feet,’’ Sherman said. I was lucky enough to live with a billeted family for the first 12 months and they were like a second family to me, I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without them.’’ Sherman joined one the most successful AFL lists in the game’s history arriving in Brisbane just months after the club’s fourth consecutive grand final. ‘‘It was great coming into that group because I got to learn off a lot of great senior footballers, how they train, how they eat, how they handle themselves in public, you learn a hell of a lot very quickly,’’ Sherman said. ‘‘Then after two years
Armed and dangerous: Justin Sherman (front) and his army of Bombers will be striving to win Picture: Kyabram Free Press Kyabram’s second GVFL premiership in two years. most of those guys started to retire, but building a relationship with guys like ‘Vossy’ (Michael Voss) was special, especially when he ended up being my coach after Leigh (Matthews) retired.’’ Sherman made his debut in round four of his rookie season against Hawthorn which proved a fruitful afternoon for the teenager. ‘‘It was pretty special going down to the MCG and we wore the maroon Fitzroy heritage jersey,’’ Sherman said. ‘‘I sat on the bench until half-time and then when I came on I thought ‘I’ve just got to have an impact because I’m probably not going to get this chance again’. ‘‘Leigh chucked me forward and I ended up finishing with three goals, so it was just a terrific experience and certainly one I’ll never forget.’’ Sherman described Matthews as a great, but intimidating, mentor from the old school who could bring out
the best in any player. ‘‘When I came into the system Leigh just said go out there and play on instinct and play what comes naturally like any 18-year-old kid would,’’ he said. The advice reaped rewards as the teenaged Sherman finished second in the 2006 club best-and-fairest. ‘‘That was a long time ago, feels like forever now, I guess I came on the scene pretty quickly as an AFL footy player which I thank Leigh for,’’ Sherman said. ‘‘He kept things nice and simple for me and let me just go out there and play.’’ After his stellar 2006 season Sherman was selected in the Australian side to travel to Ireland for an International Rules Test match. ‘‘It was spectacular going over there with guys from other footy clubs who I had a lot of respect for,’’ he said. ‘‘It was one of those special moments in your life when you’re not only representing yourself, your footy club, your family, but your country as well which is
something I put right up there in my career.’’ At the end of the 2010 season Sherman left the Lions for the Western Bulldogs in a bid to be closer to home. ‘‘I always pictured myself playing in Melbourne and spending more time with family is something I’ve really cherished,’’ he said. A knee injury restricted Sherman’s playing time at the Bulldogs and ultimately he was delisted at the end of the 2012 season aged 25. Despite leaving the league at such a young age, Sherman insisted he has no regrets. ‘‘It’s like anything, you’re given an opportunity and sometimes that’s taken away from you for many different reasons,’’ he said. ‘‘Unfortunately I couldn’t live up to the expectations of myself and the coaches and I just wasn’t good enough anymore. ‘‘Whether it was my injury that stopped me, who knows, but one thing I do know is that I put everything into it and I certainly wouldn’t change a thing.
‘‘I’m a kid from Tassie who played 140 games and that’s 140 games more than I ever thought I’d get, so I’m very humbled to have played that long. ‘‘Being an AFL footy player is a tough gig, my time is done and dusted now and I’m just enjoying the next part of my life being a dad and coaching.’’ Sherman played VFL with Williamstown then took an assistant coaching role at Pascoe Vale before arriving at Kyabram, but the transition was anything but seamless. A bitter off-season dispute saw Pascoe Vale twice block Sherman’s clearance application citing he still had a year to run on his contract. ‘‘It certainly wasn’t an easy off-season, there were a lot of perceived opinions out there, but I knew the real truth and at the end of the day I wanted to follow my ambition to be a senior coach,’’ Sherman said. ‘‘I’ve got no bad eggs about anyone at Pascoe Vale, they were fantastic while I was there, but I wanted to progress in bettering myself as a human being and a footballer, and chase my dreams to coach.’’ Sherman has defied the critics in his first year at Bomberland and tomorrow will lead Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley Football League grand final. ‘‘I think they (critics) definitely added fuel to the fire, but in saying that, I always knew what the club was capable of, it was just putting in a process to get them there,’’ he said. ‘‘Like anything these days, you’ve got to put the hard work in and work out a game plan that is going to stand up.’’ Sherman emphasised he had been well supported in the role and praised his sen-
ior players as well as assistant coach Ken Sheldon. ‘‘Ken is first class, he’s just a terrific, well balanced and strategic person, and being able to learn from someone like that so early in my coaching career is priceless,’’ Sherman said. ‘‘We’ve got a pretty special relationship and the things he’s been able to teach me, as well as at times just allowing me to go out there and play footy instead of getting caught up in coaching too much. ‘‘Coaching can almost be an obsession and take over your life, so for him to be able to step in at the right times and take that pressure off me has been fantastic.’’ Sherman said Kyabram reminded him of his junior days at Clarence which made his move to the club easier. ‘‘Kyabram footy club is just full of sensational people and I’m really happy I’ve become a part of this great community,’’ Sherman said. ‘‘This team would do anything for each other and that comes from the community as a whole, everyone is in it together. ‘‘That pride has brought my love of the game back to where it was in my first two years of AFL footy and that’s purely through the people I’ve been surrounding myself with.’’ Sherman said if his men were lucky enough to be crowned premiers tomorrow it would not just reflect the efforts of his players. ‘‘It would mean a lot to us, but I know it would mean even more for the community,’’ Sherman said. ‘‘The amount of work everyone puts in and everyone who gives up their hours on the weekend to come and support us, if we do win, it will be a Kyabram footy club award more than anything else.’’
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6 GVFNL
WEEKEND NEWS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015
GVFNL Grand Final Preview
2015
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER FOR LIVE UPDATES – @SheppNewsSport
GVFL GRAND FINAL – Deakin Reeserve, Shepparton,
Key players:
Sunday, 2.35 pm
BOMBERS
BENALLA v KYABRAM
Benalla
KYABRAM FOOTBALL & NETBALL CLUB
Kyabram
KYABRAM
BENALLA 30. Liam Ogden 7. Al A Jacka
Luke Morgan
28. Tom Sheldon 1. Jordan Wolff
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Coach: Luke Morgan
11. Chris Atkins 2. Farran Priest
Josh Mellington The former Fremantle Dockers forward is the competition’s leading goal-kicker, having booted 105 goals in 21 matches. A mercurial performer, Mellington is lethal around goals and the number one man in the Benalla forward line. Mellington is coming off a five-goal bag in last week’s preliminary final success against Rochester, but Kyabram did temper his impact to just one goal when the two clubs met a fortnight ago.
3. Josh Vick 8. Josh Mellington
22. Luke Morris
3. Nick Warnock
9. Lachie Smith
Farran Priest The dynamic forward could do nothing wrong in Benalla’s preliminary final demolition of Rochester last Sunday. Priest had the ball on a string, marking everything which came his way and booting six goals in less than three quarters. Finished the match on
the bench with a slight hamstring complaint, but should be right to go in the decider. Looks a player built for the big occasion.
2. Hayden Gemmill 18. Jake Pallpratt
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9 Nick Coulstock 9. 5 Sam Martyn 5.
15. Sam Sheldon 4. James Martyn
Justin Sherman The playing-coach brings 138 AFL games of experience with him, something that cannot be underestimated on such an occasion. Sherman has enjoyed a memorable debut season at the helm of the Bombers. The Tasmanian’s class makes him a crucial link of the Kyabram line-up and as he showed against Euroa during the year, he only needs a narrow space to finish with a bag of goals.
39. Billy Burstin 10. Jayden Guppy
An outstanding footballer, Morgan’s ability to play at either end of the ground in a key position role makes him a valuable player come grand final time. Cool under pressure, Morgan has a presence in defence reminiscent of the former Carlton champion Bruce Doull. But do not be surprised if he starts the game in a forward role opposed to Lachie Smith.
8. Brad Edwards 17. Zac Pallpratt
12. Aaron Hayes 44. David Mennen
Liam Ogden
5. Rh hys Clark 24. Nick N Mellington Interchang Interchange Kyabram from from: 1. Ryan Emmett, 4. Lachie Dillon Dillon, 55. Brodie Thomson, 6. Tom Curnow, Curnow 57. Kyle Mueller, 31. Connor Cowley Cowley.
Interchange terchange Benalla from: 11.. Jimmy Martiniello, 6. Tom Bennett, 20. Brook Martyn, 26. 6. Paddy Hide, 14. Andrew Polwarth 16.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW GATE PRICES Adults $15, Aged and Invalid Pensioners $10, Concession (14-18 year olds) $5, Under 14 free. Weekender $3.
GATES OPEN 7.30 am (Skene and Harold St) 8am (Nixon)
SCHEDULE - FOOTBALL
Thirds grand final Echuca v Benalla at 9 am. Reserves grand final Mansfield v Mooroopna at 11.40 am. Seniors grand final Kyabram v Benalla at 2.35 pm.
NETBALL
17-and-under grand final Shepparton v Shepparton Swans at 9.15 am. B-reserve grand final Shepparton v Shepparton Swans at 10.45 am. B-grade grand final Echuca v Seymour at 12.15 pm. A-grade grand final Echuca v Seymour at 2.30 pm.
NATIONAL ANTHEM Rendered by Nicky Pummeroy prior to the seniors grand final.
PARKING Suggested best parking in these streets – Knight, Harold, Skene, Nixon, Edward, McCracken, Middleton, McKinney and Oram.
A VFL premiership winner at Port Melbourne, Burstin is no stranger to performing on the big stage. The crowd at Deakin Reserve would love a repeat of the goal he booted from deep in the forward pocket for the Borough in the 2011 decider. Burstin is the Bombers’ leading goal-kicker with 60 majors for the season, but Kyabram has looked at lessening its reliance on him by playing the sharpshooter further up the ground.
Jason Morgan
50
48. Xavier Hilton 45. Mitch Exton
Lachie Smith
Martyn is a high-class footballer. Rarely beaten in one-on-ones, his class ranks him as something of a Rolls-Royce in an already quality Benalla midfield. The ball magnet finished runner-up in the Saints’ best-and-fairest award, so highly he is rated by the club. Has a motor which sees him finish games just as strongly as he starts them.
19. Sam Smith 28. Josh Marchb bank 2 Axel Childs 24. 1 Will Martiniello 12.
Coach: Justin Sherman
7. Jordan William ms 22. Luke Morgan
If you talk to those in the know they will say Martiniello has arguably had a better season this year than when he won the Morrison Medal. Renowned for his toughness, Martiniello has seldom not been in Benalla’s best players this season which speaks volumes, not only of his consistency, but high level of it. Winner of Benalla’s club best-and-fairest.
Sam Martyn
29. Justin Sherman 6. Ryan Colbert
18. Jason Morgan
Will Martiniello
The best player on the ground in last year’s grand final despite being on the losing side. Key defender Smith is a key man in the Saints’ line-up. Adept with either foot. Smith’s composure and great set of hands makes him the ideal general of the Benalla defence. The former Collingwood rookie can also pinch-hit up forward when required.
Billy Burstin
50
Morgan’s leadership has been instrumental in the rise of Benalla from cellar-dweller to heavyweight of the Goulburn Valley Football League during the past three seasons. The Morrison Medal winner in 2013, Morgan finished runner-up 12 months later and remains one of the league’s premier midfielders. An inspirational figure, Morgan knocks up winning the footy and forms a key plank of a much-vaunted engine room.
Key players:
GVFL SENIOR UMPIRES A REMINDER NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE GROUND. DOGS AND CATS ARE BANNED FROM DEAKIN RESERVE.
THE BIG QUESTION? What happens in the event of a draw? When it comes to netball, there will be extra time. When it comes to the football, the thirds and reserves will play extra time, but in the event of the scores being level at fulltime of the senior grand final, a replay will be played the following weekend. The last drawn GVFL senior grand final was in 1953 between City United and Tatura.
CENTRALS: Andrew Moore Steve Williams Glenn Hayes
BOUNDARY UMPIRES: Lyfit Bekirofski Ben Napier Riley Manton
GOAL UMPIRES: Barry McCrae Anthony Oliver
Every premiership team has a brilliant wingman and Ogden more than fits the bill for Kyabram. The sublime leftfooter rarely misses a target and his skills will surely shine on the expanses of Deakin Reserve. Ogden is already a premiership player with the Bombers, having been a member of the club’s 2013 flag-winning side.
Chris Atkins A favourite son at Bomberland, Atkins brought up his 250-game milestone in Kyabram’s second semi-final win against Benalla. A vital member of the Bombers’ 2013 premiership-winning team, Atkins has been a key man in the Kyabram back six which ranks right up there among the best in the competition, but his versatility means he may well be called upon in a series of roles on grand final day.
Sam Smith Not your usual ruckman, Smith has made an impact since arriving at Kyabram. The Northern Territory talent stands no taller than 188 cm and consistently takes on bigger rivals. Smith’s natural leap helps off-set that lack of size and his battle with Josh
Marchbank will be worth the price of admission alone. If Smith has a big day, expect the Bombers to follow suit.
7
8 GVFNL
WEEKEND NEWS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015
2015 All in place for a No time to leave cracking contest anything in tank GVFNL Grand Final Preview
RESERVES FOOTBALL
UNDER-18 FOOTBALL
By Gregor Mactaggart
FIERCE CLASH ON CARDS WHEN EAGLES AND CATS DUEL AGAIN By Gregor Mactaggart Mansfield and Mooroopna will deliver the highlight of the season for their respective clubs in tomorrow’s Goulburn Valley Football League reserves grand final. The Eagles and Cats missed the finals series at senior level, but shone in the second-tier competition to book spots in the decider. Mansfield has been a revelation in the post-season after finishing in third spot at the end of 18 rounds. The Eagles demolished Kyabram by 134 points in the elimination final and progressed to the decider thanks to a 16-point second semi-final success against the Cats. Mansfield has had the benefit of a week off going into the game
and boasts an experienced combination headlined by playing coach Matt Storer. The Eagles boast a gun forward in Ben Vogelzang, who has booted 61 goals in 14 games and nailed six when Mansfield last played Mooroopna. Jimmy Hopgood, Ben Willick, Ben Martin, James Octigan and Mitch Gleeson have been among the other prime movers for the star-studded Eagles. This is the fourth final in as many weeks for Mooroopna. The Cats finished second at the end of the home-and-away season courtesy of a record which featured 15 wins, one draw and two losses. Mooroopna opened up the finals series by downing top-side Benalla in the first week of the finals and despite going down to Mansfield in the second semi-final, proved to
be the Saints’ nemesis again. With Charlie Burrows at the forefront, the Cats staged a fine fightback in the preliminary final, coming back from 18 points down at three-quarter time to win 12.13 (85) to 12.5 (77). Zach Treacy, Kallyun Sanders, Matthew Calleri and big man Lachlan Devine all played important roles in the win. Emerging talent Matt Deane, who was blooded at senior level during the season, has also impressed. So who is going to win? The honours are split this season with Mooroopna winning by seven points in round eight before Mansfield’s success a fortnight ago. There is no doubt that final provides the stronger form-line so look for Mansfield to win by 11 points.
The two best sides of the entire season will square-off in the GVFL under-18 grand final. Echuca and Benalla have set the pace from the get-go and fittingly meet in the biggest game of the year. Considering the amount of times they would have kicked dew off the grass during the winter, the weather gods have smiled on the young guns. Not only will the teenagers get first use of Deakin Reserve, but the weather should be ideal at 9 am with a forecast top of 33°C expected. Echuca earned the first spot in the grand final courtesy of two hardfought finals wins. A tough 10-point qualifying final win against Benalla was followed by an 11-point defeat of Kyabram in the second semi-final, something that should have the Murray Bombers hardened for what awaits. Angus Byrne, who played three senior games for Echuca this season, looms as a trumpcard having been his side’s leading goal-kicker with 33. Ace midfielder Ben Costello, Harris Monahan and Harry Wines are three
Murray Bombers who have been ever-presents this campaign. Ruckman Jack Monigatti is another player to look out for, having been named best-on-ground in the laststart success against Kyabram. Benalla tuned up for the decider with an impressive performance in the preliminary final to dismantle Kyabram by 83 points. Key forward Cody Crawford impressed with seven goals — and how to limit his impact will be in the thinking of the Echuca brains trust. Harry Morrison is a player of the future, having dominated the finals. Chris Welsh and Patrick Robinson are playing great footy, while key defender Alex Rofe has been superb. Benalla has had four ever-presents in Hayden Lowen, Kaiden Skelton, Sam Newton and Tom Webster. So who is going to win? Benalla inflicted the only loss to date on Echuca in round 13 with a 13-point win at Victoria Park. But the Murray Bombers found enough to prevail by 22 points in round eight and score a 10-point success in the qualifying final. Echuca by two points.
NETBALL B-GRADE
B-RESERVE
17-AND-UNDER
Only one goal has separated Echuca and Seymour all season. In round 11 Seymour inflicted Echuca’s only loss of the year, 38-37. The Murray Bombers then got on top in a nail-biting semi-final. Echuca, which took out the minor premiership, won 36-35 to book its spot in tomorrow’s decider, while the Lions had to knock off top-two side Shepparton United the following week. That is exactly what Seymour did. The Lions won another one-goal thriller to secure another date with the Murray Bombers. It is set to be a massive day for Seymour coach Ash Chapman, who has both his A-grade and B-grade sides vying for premierships. Goal shooter Renee Sari has been a key target in the ring this year, while goal attack Alice O’Sullivan boasts accuracy. Attacking ace Claudia Cook is a crucial play-maker through the midcourt, alongside defenders Katelyn Cantwell and Ebony Heers. Cantwell, Heers and Cook were sensational in last Sunday’s win over United and will be vital to shutting down Echuca’s supply to its goalers. Maree Gray, Dee Kent, Sherri Barden and Sharon Henson have all had strong seasons for the Murray Bombers, who were last year’s runner-up.
Shepparton will seek redemption tomorrow. The Bears where last year’s runners-up, but will fight to go one better when they take on the red-hot Shepparton Swans. The Bears finished the home-and-away season in top spot before accounting for Kyabram then Seymour to advance to the decider. It has been a much tougher road for the Swans, who came from fourth. They had to take down Shepparton United, the Bombers and the Lions to book their ticket to tomorrow’s high-stakes clash. The Swans met Shepparton twice this year and the results were mixed. In round two the Swans prevailed 40-25, but a tense and thrilling draw unfolded in round 17. Talented basketballer Naomi Amos has been an integral member of the Swans this year. Amos has teamed brilliantly with goaler Katelyn Hammer, while Alex Bruinier and Maddie McKinnon have been strong through the midcourt. For the Bears Kara Squire has been instrumental through the centre third, while Jo Kay and Millie Campbell continue to dominate in defence.
Shepparton sets out to defend its crown tomorrow. The Bears are the reigning premier after downing Echuca in last year’s grand final. This year’s challenge is the Shepparton Swans, who finished the home-and-away season in second spot. The Bears came from third as Benalla loomed as the premiership favourite, but was knocked out of the race by Tania Orchard’s Swans. The Swans have shown great depth this year with Olivia Mason and Kate Jeffery spending plenty of time in A-grade. Mason has been powerful under goals, alongside her interleague teammate and attacker Jeffery. The Swans have already met Shepparton three times this year. Their first clash, in round two, resulted in a draw, before the Swans had the upper hand in round 17 with a 14-goal win. The Bears squared things up in a tense semi-final a fortnight ago, getting over the line 45-38. Erin Scott, Emma Moroney, Monica Kelly and Isabella McLeod played in last year’s premiership and have had strong seasons. Shepparton has also been well served by defender Sophie Damon and goaler Laura Scott.
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SNGVFNL
SHEPPARTON NEWS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015
GVFNL Grand Final Preview
9
2015
GVNL GRAND FINAL
ECHUCA v SEYMOUR Deakin Reserve, Sunday, 2.30 pm
GK
Georgina Cahill’s analysis Recent history between Echuca and b Seymour shows we S might not be in for such m a nail-biting grand final
after all. In round 11 of the regular season, the Lions, who went on to win the minor premiership, prevailed by a five-goal margin – 53-48. But when the sides met for the second time this year it was the Murray Bombers who had the upperhand. Echuca secured a powerful 53-42 win just three weeks ago. The two sides are in similar situations — they have been rebuilding and in the midst of lengthy premiership droughts. Seymour was last crowned premier 27 years ago, while Echuca’s last flag came in 1996. Needless to say, they are both pretty hungry to break it. Expect speed, power and agility to be on display tomorrow. Seymour is an incredibly athletic side, while the Murray Bombers pride themselves on playing a controlled game. Both coaches, Ash Chapman (Seymour) and Gina Pearson (Echuca), will not be afraid to use their bench as tomorrow is forecast for a scorching 32 degrees. Expect Pearson, who often injects fresh legs into her line-up, to bring on daughter Greta at some stage.
COACH
She will also not hesitate to use young gun goaler Olivia Hannon either. Hannon, 16, played two-and-a-half quarters of the Murray Bombers semi-final against Shepparton. Interestingly, three weeks ago she ran out the whole qualifying final win against Seymour. Hannon and Frame bring different attributes to the court. Frame is an incredibly experienced netballer, while Hannon is quick and can sink shots from every edge of the circle. Another shooter that barely misses is Seymour star Amelia Brock. There is no doubt Echuca defenders Angela Slattery and Charlotte Long will have their hands full with Victorian Netball League shooting sensation Brock. However the same goes for Seymour’s Elle McDonald and Sarah Szczykulski. Szczykulski will get the job on Murray Bombers’ interleague goaler Sheridan Townrow, who has been their key target all year. In the midcourt Australian under-19 utility Casey Adamson looms as the Lions key player, while much responsibility rests with Echuca wing attack Holly Butler (nee Long). Converting will be crucial, as will minimising unforced errors. As for a selection, Seymour by six goals.
Angela Slattery
GD
COACH
Charlotte Long Ellie O’Sullivan
WA
Leah Thompson Sarah Douglas (c)
C
C Erin Hill
Casey Adamson
Interchange:
Greta Pearson
Olivia Hannon
Holly Butler
WD GA
Emily Browne
Casey Frame (c)
Interchange:
GS
Ash Chapman
Amelia Brock
GA WD
WA Gina Pearson
GS
Rosie O’Sullivan
Sheridan Townrow
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GK
Sarah Szczykulski
GD
Elle McDonald
10 SNGVFNL
SHEPPARTON NEWS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015
2015 Opposites with same aim GVFNL Grand Final Preview
THEY’RE LIKE CHALK AND CHEESE, BUT COACHES HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON — THE HUNGER FOR A FLAG By Georgina Cahill Gina Pearson and Ash Chapman are like chalk and cheese. To put it bluntly, the Goulburn Valley Netball League coaches could not be more different. From their age, mannerisms, experiences and personalities, the pair are polar opposites. There is one common trait they do share — a hunger to hold the league’s premiership cup tomorrow afternoon. Chapman, 25, is the second youngest coach in the league, but one of the most experienced at a high level. He took on the senior role at Seymour in 2013 after coaching Broadford to a Riddell league premiership. In his debut season the Lions lost their first nine games. They finished 10th that year, but it was the first step of Chapman’s rebuild. He had lost all bar three A-grade players from 2012 and immediately put in place a three-year plan when he arrived at King’s Park. Chapman, who lives at Broadford and went to Assumption College, implemented an A-grade and B-grade squad last year. He gained a few fresh players and suddenly Seymour was the side to beat. The Lions went on to win their first five matches and secure the minor premiership. They were the grand final favourites until things deviated drastically. Seymour choked, crashing out of finals in straight sets. It was eventual premier Shepparton United then Shepparton who derailed the Lions’ previous finals campaign. Chapman’s side has only strengthened this year. Australian under-19 utility Casey Adamson has been a regular starter, while the inclusion of Victorian Netball League talents Emily Browne and Elle McDonald has been pretty handy. McDonald won the club’s bestand-fairest before being crowned with the league’s top honour —
Talking it up: Seymour coach Ash Chapman addresses his players.
Picture: Chalpat Sonti
The gang: Echuca coach Gina Pearson with her band of merry Murray Bombers. the Wellman Family Medal. Chapman has ties to VNL club City West Falcons and this year
became the second male in history to be appointed to the head coaching position of a Victorian team.
Picture: Jayme Lowndes
He led the 17-and-under side to a top-three finish at the National Netball Championships in March.
And he is a pretty handy player himself. He represented the Victorian Cyclones and Australian Men’s Netball team and is active at the Lions’ training sessions. Chapman, who is sure of his and his group’s abilities, puts himself in drills and court plays to get a feel for his group’s dynamic. He has a first-hand look at what works and what doesn’t. Pearson on the other hand, started her coaching career at Warrnambool before relocating to Echuca with her family. Her daughter Greta, who now coaches in the Murray Bombers’ A-grade side, started playing at Echuca and District Netball Association six years ago. She spent a number of years there guiding juniors through the ranks, including Melbourne Vixen premiership midcourter turned Queensland Firebird Caitlyn Strachan. Greta made the step up to club netball when she was 14 and her mum slotted into the A-grade side. A coaching opportunity arose and Gina took it — that was four years ago. Gina, a teacher by trade, has only seen one premiership with the Murray Bombers so far, and that was in 2013 when she led her B-grade side to victory. She is a true club person, but few know about the hours upon hours of research she pours into each training session. During the ANZ Championship season Gina recorded every single game — and analysed all of them. She then applied what she learnt to training sessions. The club has been rebuilding since she took the senior position and her teaching background has translated onto the court. Gina is clinical in the way she goes about it. She does not try to do anything fancy, rather she is clear and concise. Her mantra is to keep it simple, a mantra that has her group, which finished sixth last year, playing in a grand final tomorrow.
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GVFNL Grand Final Preview
2015
Bound for glory
V Ain’t no second prize: Seymour coach Ash Chapman and Echuca supremo Gina Pearson get a close look of the Goulburn Valley Netball League premiership cup ahead of tomorrow’s grand final at Deakin Reserve. Picture Ray Sizer
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