Junior premiers crowned following Goulburn Valley Hockey Association grand finals

By Liam Nash

Aug 29, 2023

Head to head: Mooroopna’s Riley Law and SYC’s Oliver Gillies. Photo by Megan Fisher

Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex played host to a super Saturday to conclude the 2023 Goulburn Valley Hockey Association junior season.

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Grand finals took centre stage at the ‘’smurf turf’’, with premiers crowned under the warm August sun.

Shepparton Youth Club (SYC) featured in all age grade finals, but it was the under-12 division where the Scorchers ran out 13-3 victors over Strikers.

Zander Gillies was a dynamo for SYC as he struck eight goals on his lonesome during the 10-goal triumph, while William Linnett and Sadie Harrap hit the net for Strikers.

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Full focus: GV Grammar’s Elijah McLeod. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Face forward: SYC’s Callum Bailey. Photo by Megan Fisher

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In the goals: GV Grammar’s Finnian McLeod. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Pass and move: SYC’s Caleb Gillies. Photo by Megan Fisher

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On the swivel: GV Grammar’s Aidan Hamill. Photo by Megan Fisher

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One on one: SYC’s Caleb Gillies and GV Grammar’s Aidan Hamill. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Protect the net: SYC goalkeeper Zander Gillies. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Stretching out: GV Grammar’s Aidan Hamill. Photo by Megan Fisher

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At the ready: GV Grammar’s Olivia Gaunt. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Foot race: SYC’s Callum Bailey and GV Grammar’s Abbie Robinson chase the ball down. Photo by Megan Fisher

Meanwhile, the under-14 final was the pick of the bunch.

A neck-and-neck encounter had Goulburn Valley Grammar Gold topple SYC 8-7, with Finnian McLeod’s hat-trick helping the former along to a thrilling one-goal win.

SYC threat Noah Gillies came ever so close to winning the game off his own stick, his six goals not enough to power the Scorchers to victory.