With that said, there will be an inevitable air of familiarity looking at the fixtures for this weekend’s first round of Goulburn Valley Playing Area Allan Matheson Shield knockout clashes.
Yes, you might firstly notice that three of the four clubs involved also qualified for and played in midweek Edna Harling Shield finals on Tuesday, coincidentally finishing in all the same positions.
Kyabram took fourth spot from under Tatura-Hill Top’s nose in a win-and-in knockout clash of its own in the final round of home-and-away bowls to keep the club itself alive in pennant competition.
More than that, though, this weekend’s action will serve up an exact replica of the 2023-24 season’s semi-final rounds, establishing a clear-cut gulf between those used to the lights and those on the outside looking in.
Tallygaroopna and Shepparton Golf are set to take centre stage this Saturday in the major semi-final, under the brightest lights, which these two clubs are ever so familiar with.
It was another regular season of smashing success for the Northerners, who ran up a win streak over 20 completed games stretching back to their premiership-winning charge last season, before being upended in the result of the year by Euroa down the home stretch.
Fate has a funny way of drumming up memories though, whether one wants to confront them or not, and this encounter will take place at Euroa Bowls Club — the very spot where Tallygaroopna suffered its sole blemish this season.
The Golfers, meanwhile, finished up as owners of the league’s best actual score difference with the most scored and least conceded, but frustratingly came up short against Tallygaroopna in both home-and-away affairs.
The two titans will retain a double chance with the winner advancing directly to consecutive deciders, and whoever comes off second best earning another opportunity next weekend.
For Shepparton Park and Kyabram though, there are no do-overs — it’s win or go home.
Clashes in round three and 10 were evenly split between the two sides, with the second clash — going the way of the Bombers — fresh in the memory as an absolute nail-biter.
Their meeting in last year’s elimination final was perhaps slightly less so, with Park recording what was regarded as a slight upset at the time, with a 14-shot victory over a very different-looking red and black outfit.
Should Tallygaroopna and Shepparton Park prevail once more, the finals series itself could serve as a step-for-step repeat of last season unless the Kialla-based outfit would be able to push past that preliminary final hiding at the Golfers’ hands and upset the apple cart.
20°C