The Goulburn Valley League grand final day was welcomed back with open arms as a bumper crowd packed into Deakin Reserve to watch all the action.
The crowd was pumping on grand final day at Deakin Reserve on Sunday as Shepparton welcomed back the big dance for the first time since 2019.
With Shepparton’s weather turning it on, Shepparton Football Netball Club president Mark Washington said he expected an estimated 10,000 attended Deakin Reserve throughout the day.
“I think we will have up around 10,000 today ... the fact we have glorious weather today just makes it the best,” Mr Washington said.
Mr Washington said the day could not be done without the volunteers and was hoping to sell heaps of food.
“If we can maximise the attendance and sell heaps of pies and pasties and salad rolls, we’re just looking forward to a great day and we’ve got all hands on deck today,” he said.
League supporters turned out in droves, with Mansfield supporters making the trip down for the B-reserve netball grand final.
Eagles supporter Kendhall Hockley said it was great to make the trip to watch the big game.
“The netball has not participated in a final for quite a few years, so the town is indeed up and about with the girls making the grand final,” Ms Hockley said.
“It's pretty exciting for the girls and it's pretty awesome to be here.”
For other fans, it was more nerves than excitement, with Echuca fan Ken Lawson having his finger and toes crossed before the senior grand final with his grandson playing in the big game.
“Looking forward to it. I haven't been here for two years, so it is great to be here, and my grandson is in the grand final today, so I am hoping for the win,” Mr Lawson said.
Kyabram’s Hans Verno was nervous before seeing her beloved Bombers taking part in the day’s events, with Kyabram taking on Echuca in the reserves grand final.
“I'm happy to be back and hopefully we can come home with the win,” Ms Verno said.
She said it was remarkable the conditions were so perfect, considering last week's poor weather.
“Yeah, it is great the weather has turned it on considering last weekend’s weather, which was just atrocious,” she said.
Shepparton United Football Club vice-president Peter Terrell said it would have more than 100 volunteers helping out cooking and serving food and drink to the bumper crowd.
“We started at 7am this morning and have been setting up the last couple of days,” he said yesterday.
“It is just a huge day for our footy club and the community.”
He said it was great to have 10,000 people watching the big day in the glorious sunshine.