Many are tipping that a cross-section of that decade is again what is in store for the GVL in 2025.
Following two called-off seasons — the latter of which they were leading the way in — the Murray Bombers have won three premierships on the bounce, and have to start as favourites to become the first four-peaters since 1963-66 Shepparton.
Logan Prout (VFL), Matt Lias and Daniel Willis are among those on the exit list, but Murray league talents Lachie Hogan, Mitch Bell and Josh Hoffman will help ease any pain.
And when you’ve dominated at reserves and under-18 level for just as many years, there’s plenty of depth to draw upon.
“We are quite young this time around, we have a few boys coming up from last year’s under-18s premiership side,” long time co-coach — this year alongside Leo Tenace and Cam Valentine — Simon Maddox said.
“There will be opportunities for those guys that may have missed out on selection last year and have been knocking on the door, so that's great.
“It’s exciting to see such good young talent coming through and we’ve got 8-10 kids coming up from our under-18s side that’re hungry and pushing for selection.”
Any grand final defeat hurts, but Shepparton will be smarting from its last outing at Deakin Reserve — and won’t be shying away from it either.
“We certainly haven’t swept our grand final day under the carpet,” co-coach Ted Lindon said.
“We have addressed some areas over the summer that we felt we needed to.
“At the same time, we haven’t lost sight on the fact of what got us to grand final day and what got us to winning 19 games throughout the year.”
Joel Brett and Ethan Baxter will be among those not suiting up for the Bears this season.
But a former power, rising once more, lurks in pursuit of last year’s grand finalists.
Much like the Bears did in 2024, the Bombers have been getting the band back together — and then some.
A fit Mick Mattingly, joined by the return of Jack Sheldon and Tom Holman, backed by the recruitment of league medallists Coby McCarthy and Jack Russell — and sprinkled with Zac Cerrone stepping up to take a shot at GVL action — leaves Kyabram primed for another assault at the title.
Challengers will arise thick and fast if chinks in the collective armour of the pre-season top three begin to appear ripe for leveraging.
Mansfield has added former AFL talent in Callum Brown and Jake Kelly to its ranks, while Rochester has joined the party with former GWS social media star Cooper Hamilton set to pull on the yellow stripe alongside his brothers Wil and Hugh at stages this season.
Seymour and Shepparton United have embarked on veritable recruiting sprees over summer, while the likes of Tatura, Shepparton Swans and Benalla should also continue to improve.
“We have addressed (the close losses) pretty strongly over the pre-season,” Swans coach Jedd Wright said of his side’s five losses by less than a goal in 2024.
“Hopefully, (we have) put a few things in place that can really help us control momentum and be able to control big moments in games.
“I’m sure we are the same as every other club; our goal is to play finals.”
A big watch-and-see remains over Euroa and Mooroopna, with both recent finals-contenders losing considerable top-end talent.
“The emphasis will mainly be around youth — we’ve lost a lot of players,” Cats mentor John Lamont said.
“We’ve got a good crew of youngsters; we’ve got boys trying out for VFL lists and Murray Bushrangers programs, so we’re trying to build that philosophy of playing the best footy you can and striving to be the best version of yourself.
“We strongly encourage that, so we’re really pleased with the boys that are on VFL and Bushranger lists.
“We’ve got other blokes like Kade James and Oscar Emanuelli — youngsters who played senior footy for us last year — and, hopefully, we’ll get more game time into them as senior players and they’ll continue to improve.”
A night game between Kyabram and Euroa at Kyabram Recreation Reserve headlines Saturday’s round one fixtures.
Mooroopna makes the trip up to the High Country of Mansfield before the weather properly turns, Shepparton hosts Tatura — which will be broadcast live on 98.5 ONE FM from 1.30pm — and Shepparton United faces the ultimate challenge — Echuca at Victoria Park.
Rochester and Seymour face-off, while the Swans and Saints also do battle this weekend.
For more on each GVL club ahead of the 2025 campaign, check out this year’s Football-Netball Magazine. If you missed a hard copy, call the Shepparton News office on 5820 3107 or download the Shepparton News app, head to the print editions tab and scroll down.
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