Echuca should be preparing for a ‘Byrneing’ ring of fire next Sunday afternoon.
The kid they call Ned is back at Shepparton after a stint playing for the Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League and GWS in the VFL.
In a word of warning to Echuca, the young gun looks like he has learned a trick or two in his time away from the Goulburn Valley League.
In Byrne’s two games back at Shepparton, he has been seen burning down, down, down the wing as the flames went higher around his scorched opponents.
And while his first name isn’t Johnny, his surname may as well be Cash, given his four goals in two games for the Bears since his return.
Across Byrne’s first six games for Shepparton in 2024, the young gun played a variety of roles and averaged 12.5 disposals.
Byrne then played 12 games for the Bushrangers as a top-age player (featuring in the best five times) and the last match of GWS’ VFL side’s home-and-away season — he featured in the best in his VFL debut.
The gun winger-midfielder’s next game was Shepparton’s dominant semi-final victory over Mooroopna at Kings Park.
Byrne emerged as a future star of the league — potentially destined for higher levels come draft night — that day, collecting 32 disposals (26 effective), 13 contested possessions, 10 marks, three clearances, eight pressure acts and 167 ranking points.
Forward of centre, Byrne set the Cats’ defence alight.
The young gun kicked 3.2, had 10 inside-50s and finished with 11 score involvements in a damaging display.
Ned Byrne’s red-hot Shepparton return
Ranking points: 167
Disposals: 32
Contested possessions: 13
Inside-50s: 10
Goals: 3
Score involvements: 11
Speaking after Shepparton’s 34-point preliminary final victory over Rochester, Shepparton co-coach Ted Lindon was full of praise for Byrne.
“Ned is an absolute specimen,” Lindon said.
“Incredible young talent.
“He works so hard on his game; I reckon he is a full-time athlete, part-time student at the moment.
“He works that hard on his craft.”
Lindon said Byrne was part of a strong contingent of youth driving the club towards its next flag.
“He is probably symbolic of our 17 to 21-year-old brigade,” he said.
“That young group has really grown in leaps and bounds over the last six or 18 months and it is a big reason we are where we are.”
Next Sunday, the Bears and Byrne will play in the biggest match of the season when Shepparton takes on powerhouse Echuca at Deakin Reserve.
The Bears have lost twice to the Murray Bombers in the Goulburn Valley League in 2024, but with the return of Byrne as a goal-slinging winger, could Shepparton put a stop to Echuca’s three-peat aspirations?
The Bears may need to make the most of Byrne’s prodigious talent before higher-level leagues such as the VFL or even the AFL snatch him up.
As Ned’s form continues to Byrne, Byrne, Byrne, his stock — like the flames — will only rise higher.