With nine rounds down and nine to go in season 2022 of the Goulburn Valley League, things are poised rather interestingly.
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Echuca has separated itself as the outright premiership favourite, defeating all top challengers and doing so in style, in what has been a near perfect three-month stretch of football.
But that’s not to say those top contenders will go down without a fight, with Euroa and Kyabram lurking ominously in second and third spot.
The fight for a finals berth is also heating up, as a resurgent Seymour begins to make its move on the likes of Rochester and Mooroopna in fifth and sixth spot.
With so many intriguing storylines, The News sports desk has put its heads together and come up with mid-season report cards for all 12 clubs.
Echuca
Ladder: First (8-1, 199.50 per cent)
Quick summary: There are no ifs or buts about it ― Echuca is the prohibitive Goulburn Valley League premiership favourite at the halfway point. Sporting a near perfect record, with its only blemish coming in the form of an administrative error in the lead up to round one, the Murray Bombers have bested all that have come before them. Highlighted by big wins over fellow top-four teams Mansfield (68 points) and Euroa (43 points), Echuca has appeared simply unbeatable at times this year, sending an ominous message to opposition coaches.
Star player: Kane Morris
With so many standout players this could have gone to a handful of Murray Bombers, but the consistency of ruckman Kane Morris is hard to ignore. A dominant presence all over the ground, the big man’s ruckwork is exquisite, often giving his midfielders first look at the footy. Throw in his ability to spread around the ground, take key marks and kick goals and he is a nightmare match-up for any opposing big man.
The run home: Echuca will enjoy a relatively soft run home, facing only three fellow top six teams in the lead up to the finals. However, it will face its toughest test of the season in the form of a trip to Memorial Oval to face Euroa in what is shaping up to be one of the matches of the season in round 13. But as things currently sit, it is hard to see anyone knocking the Murray Bombers off top spot.
Grade: A+
Euroa
Ladder: Second (7-2, 165.48)
Quick summary: After a turbulent opening fortnight Euroa has quickly moulded itself into a powerhouse following a dominant two-month stretch. Featuring statement road victories over Mooroopna, Kyabram and Mansfield, the Magpies have shown gradual improvement each week, which is a scary proposition for all other top contenders. Currently sitting in second spot with a healthy percentage, Scott Rowan’s team is perfectly poised at the season’s halfway point.
Star player: Ben Giobbi
After a string of eye-catching performances last year, Magpies maestro Ben Giobbi has taken his game to another level. Starting the season as a pure on-baller, Rowan has moved his prized ball-winner into more of a forward role, with the change adding an exciting new dimension to Euroa’s attacking set-up. Highlighted by a five-goal return against Mansfield last week, Giobbi is the prototypical X-factor player and pivotal to the Magpies’ premiership credentials.
The run home: Riding high after seven straight wins, several intriguing fixtures await Euroa in the second half of the season. A round 13 clash with ladder-leader Echuca at Memorial Oval will be nothing short of Box Office, as the Magpies look to avenge an early season loss to the Murray Bombers. While a trip to Seymour in round 16 will garner plenty of attention as the Lions return to top form. It is hard to see Euroa being dislodged from the top four, with 2022 presenting as a golden opportunity to end its 32-year premiership drought.
Grade: A-
Kyabram
Ladder: Third (7-2, 163.84)
Quick summary: The reigning Goulburn Valley League premier has quietly gone about its business during the first half of the season. Sitting in third spot with an imposing 7-2 record, the Bombers have shown spurts of dominance in big wins against Rochester and Seymour. But have also shown signs of vulnerability with tight wins against the lowly Tatura, Shepparton United and Shepparton, while falling to Euroa on its home deck in round seven.
Star player: Zac Keogh
A model of consistency in the Kyabram midfield, the hard-nosed Zac Keogh continues to stake his claim as the league’s best player. Featuring in the best on four occasions this year, Keogh is as damaging as they come, with his expert ball use and ability to spread making him a tough match-up for any opposition coach.
The run home: Kyabram will face its share of challenges in what is a brutal back end of the fixture. Beginning with a clash against fourth-placed Mansfield this weekend ― the Bombers face all bar one fellow top six side in their final nine matches ― while also travelling to Seymour to face a resurgent Lions outfit in round 14.
But with a plethora of seasoned GVL stars, legendary mentor Paul Newman at the helm and the likes of Kayne Pettifer and Kyle Mueller set to return, Kyabram once again looms ominously heading into September.
Grade: A-
Mansfield
Ladder: Fourth (7-2, 144.29)
Quick summary: There’d be few who’d disagree that Mansfield has been the ultimate surprise packet of the 2022 season. After finishing eighth last year at 5-6, the Eagles have silenced all critics to cruise to fourth with an astonishing seven wins and two losses at the halfway mark. A huge off-season recruitment drive has reflected in their results, with the likes of Jack Hutchins, Tom McDonagh and Frazer Dale having an impact across every line.
An electric round one win at Euroa shocked many, but the Magpies atoned in round nine with a dominant win in the High Country, leaving many to ponder whether Mansfield can take it up to the powerhouses in September.
Star player: Jack Hutchins
With so many standout Eagles this year, it wasn’t easy picking this, but Hutchins’ defensive ability has been crucial to Mansfield’s surge up the ladder. The ex-Casey Demons gun has taken control of the back six, producing some mammoth defensive efforts at clutch moments.
The run home: After a scintillating start, the Eagles are poised to be involved in the top four equation. However, the side’s next two tests, Kyabram and Seymour, will be telling if it hopes to stay in touch with the heavyweights above it. Mansfield faces all bar one of the bottom six sides from here on in and it’s hard to see it fall away after such a positive start.
Grade: A-
Rochester
Rochester
Ladder: Fifth (6-3, 144.29)
Quick summary: You could be forgiven for being slightly confused when looking at Rochester’s position at this stage of the season. After what looked to be a horror start, including a 57-point drubbing at the hands of Kyabram in round two, the Tigers showed what they’re truly capable of with five straight wins.
Two straight defeats to Echuca and Seymour in recent weeks may have rocked the boat, with consistent wins crucial if they hope to stay in touch with the sides above them.
Star player: Mitch Cricelli
In his first season at the Tigers, the young forward has excited many, booting 26 goals across his nine games. The 2021 Heathcote District Football League Rising Star looks set for a big few years in yellow and black if his early season form is any indicator.
The run home: This is where Rochester can really capitalise. The Tigers’ last five games are all against bottom six opposition and Steven Stroobants and the decision-makers at Moon Oval will be eyeing off their final few clashes as they look to consolidate their spot within the top six.
Grade: B
Mooroopna
Ladder: Sixth (6-3, 151.14)
Quick summary: After a dream start to the year Mooroopna has struggled to take home the four points in recent weeks. John Lamont’s young Cats impressed early in the campaign, winning five games in a row to sit undefeated.
However, losses to fellow premiership hopefuls Euroa, Mansfield and Echuca had the side slip down the table to sixth. An impressive first half against the Murray Bombers last week proved the Cats can mix it with the best, however, their ability to run out games remains in question.
Star player: Chris Nield
Mooroopna’s Chris Nield has been a crucial wheel in the Cats’ cog this season. The key forward has kicked 35 goals in nine games to open the year, including eight majors against Seymour. Named in the best players on three occasions and representing the GVL in Interleague, Nield’s stocks continue to rise and his form will certainly impact Mooroopna’s premiership chances.
The run home:
Things do not get any easier for Mooroopna as the second half of the season starts. A number of winnable games should have the Cats remain in the top six come finals, however, with Seymour on the rise, a couple of losses could spell danger for the hoops. Mooroopna is currently at a crossroad, if it can rediscover its early season form the Cats should be a safe finals bet, however, if they fail to perform the team’s destiny may fall into their opponents’ hands.
Grade: B+
Seymour
Ladder: Seventh (4-5, 123.15)
Quick summary: It has been a strange start to the season for Seymour. Coming into the year as one of the pre-season premiership fancies, injuries have ravaged the Lions for much of the first nine weeks, with the height of the crisis having more than 15 senior players forced to sidelines. With so many stars missing, Ben Davey’s team would drop five straight games from rounds two to six, seeing it spiral to the bottom rungs of the ladder.
But the past month has had new life injected into Kings Park with a string of three consecutive wins, including a gutsy road victory against Rochester last week, propelling the Lions back up to seventh spot.
Star player: Jack Murphy
With so much uncertainty wavering around him, Murphy has been a constant in the midfield, with the classy on-baller putting together a marvellous season. With reigning Morrison medallist Jack O’Sullivan yet to take the field this year, Murphy has stood up in his absence, leading from the front on a weekly basis with his ferocious attack on the ball and incredible work-rate.
The run home: With star players returning in droves and confidence continuing to rise, Seymour now finds itself in an excellent position to challenge for a top six spot. But with tough matches against Mansfield, Kyabram, Mooroopna and Euroa to come, it certainly won’t be easy for Davey’s men, who will have to be almost perfect if they want to feature in September. A round 15 trip to Mooroopna shapes as make or break in the Lions’ finals quest.
Grade: B-
Shepparton
Ladder: Eighth (3-6, 64.99)
Quick summary: It has been a challenging start to the year for Shepparton, with the side winning three games. So far the Bears have failed to match it against the top sides, with wins coming against fellow battlers Shepparton United, Shepparton Swans and Tatura. While these results carry plenty of positives with them, the side has not won a game since round four, something that will need to change if it is to have any chance of making the finals.
Star player: Ted Lindon
The Bears mentor has been in terrific form upon his return to the club this season, with the half-back carrying the youthful side on his back at times. A leader on and off the pitch, the 2018 premiership star has been a key in the Bears’ defence, with his form one of the key positives to takeaway from a somewhat disappointing start to the year.
The run home: With a number of winnable games on the horizon it is too early to rule Shepparton out of finals contention. The Bears have the talent to cause headaches for some of their opponents and, while it is a big ask to make the post season, the side is sure to have an impact on how the ladder shapes up.
Grade: C
Shepparton Swans
Ladder: Ninth (2-7, 70.99)
Quick summary: The word challenging comes to mind when describing Shepparton Swans’ season so far. With a youthful group, the men from Princess Park have been competitive most weeks, however, they have only managed to get across the line in front on two occasions. Coach Andrew Riordan's team has played good football in patches, however, this is yet to translate to the scoreboard.
Star player: BJ Squire
The 2021 Swans best-and-fairest winner has had another impressive season, with the consistent performer continuing to impress. The midfield maestro has seen plenty of the ball across the year, looking lively across the park despite his side’s troubles. Squire has and will continue to stand up in the difficult times and will be important as the club continues to rebuild.
The run home:
It is a favourable run home for the Swans, with a number of fixtures against teams around the same mark coming up. The red and white side can certainly pick up a few more wins this season and if the team’s impressive last quarter against Tatura in round eight is anything to go by, there is plenty of light at the end of the tunnel.
Grade: C-
Tatura
Ladder: 10th (2-7, 49.47)
Quick summary: It has very much been an up and down campaign for Tatura to date. Hit hard by injury, at full strength the Bulldogs have been competitive against the league’s best, pushing the likes of Kyabram and Echuca. The problem has been, that best has been few and far between, with hefty losses to Shepparton Swans, Rochester and Shepparton leaving coach Paul Kirby with far more questions than answers.
Star player: Tom Sullivan
Ever-reliable on-baller Tom Sullivan has been a shining light at Tatura Park this season. With so many star teammates forced to the sidelines, Sullivan has well and truly stood up in their absence, with his tenacity at the contest and willingness to work hard having him make five appearances in the Bulldogs’ bests.
The run home: Tatura is set for a brutal end to the season, facing finals contenders Seymour (twice), Euroa, Kyabram, Echuca, Rochester and Mansfield in its last nine matches. But with the likes of Brad Ryan and Ben Cosgriff set to return, the Bulldogs will be eyeing off victories against Benalla and Shepparton Swans and putting in more competitive performances against the top sides.
Grade: D
Shepparton United
Ladder: 11th (1-7, 55.86)
Quick Summary: Heading into the season, it was safe to say hopes were not high for Shepparton United. But with the experienced Paul Serra at the helm and a list full of determined youngsters, there is a lot the Demons can be proud of from the first half of the season. Highlighted by a thrilling four-point win over Benalla in round six, the brainstrust at Deakin Reserve will be searching for more consistency in the second half of the season.
Star player: Kyle Clarke
Following a best-and-fairest season in 2021, young gun Kyle Clarke has continued to develop his game in 2022. A permanent fixture in the Demons’ best, the silky-smooth half-back flanker possesses all the tools to be a top player in the league and is the central piece to the club’s rebuild.
The run home: While a few more wins would be sure to please the Demons’ faithful, results are not the be all and end all for Serra in the second half of the season. With only two matches against fellow bottom five teams to come (Shepparton and Shepparton Swans), it is all about improvement for United as it continues to develop its young list.
Grade: D
Benalla
Ladder: 12th (1-8, 35.56)
Quick summary: As many expected, it’s been a tough season for the Saints. Seven straight defeats has kept the beleaguered side rooted to the bottom of the Goulburn Valley League ladder — competition heavyweights Seymour, Euroa and Mansfield delivering hefty defeats along the way. But Saints stalwarts Will Martiniello and Mark McKenzie have worked tirelessly for their side in the coaching roles this year; Martiniello leading his boys on and off the field. A spirited 19-point win in round nine broke the duck for the Sainters and a win on the board may be the catalyst the side needs to finish its season strong.
Star player: Chris Welsh
The Saints’ silky midfield operator has been integral to keeping his side competitive on numerous occasions this year. In his first five games, Welsh was among Benalla’s best, working tirelessly at the coal-face to give his side a fighting chance from the middle of the ground. His darting runs through the middle and elite ball use means he will be pivotal if the Saints are to avoid the wooden spoon this year.
The run home: Fresh off a crucial win over Shepparton Swans, Benalla will be eager to build upon the momentum it has worked so hard for. That starts this weekend when the Saints come up against a Shepparton side which has also faced its fair share of struggles this year. Aside from a clash with Tatura in round 13, the Saints won’t face a bottom four side for the remainder of the season.
Grade: D