A year ago, Megan Fisher and Jay Bryce had an idea.
What if they made a documentary about the Shepparton Gators’ first year in the Big V Championship after two decades?
With no life vests or filmmaking experience, they knocked on the doors of The Swamp and plunged into the deep end.
Now, Underdog: The Shepparton Gators Story will officially premiere on Thursday, November 21, at a special event hosted by McPherson Media Group.
Before this moment of triumph, the pair of resolute go-getters faced a harsh reality: neither had any clue how to make a film.
A News photographer for six years turned fledgling filmmaker, Megan’s creative spirit has never been limited to one genre — sports, events, pets, portraits, fashion.
Yet, she admitted this was new territory.
“Jay and I had a bit to do with basketball back in 2023,” Megan said.
“We would always find each other at the games, and we both agreed there are some powerful stories here.
“We thought, why don’t we try and capture this in a different way? Let’s try to make this happen — let’s just go for it.”
She crafted the film’s storyline from thin air, and interviews began before the season started with some sink-or-swim-minded Gators.
With the competition sure to be fierce, they had to find their footing in the semi-professional league. Fast.
As for Megan, she was up against her own Goliath: her gallbladder.
“Two days after the first home game, I admitted myself into emergency because I was experiencing awful pain, and I had my gallbladder out,” she said.
“I was off work for a month, but I kept going to the games.
“I was a bit hesitant and not my full working self, but I was still on the sidelines filming.”
Those who attended a Gators game this season would have brushed past the head of brown curls, with the camera an extension of her hand.
Though, they may not have noticed.
Megan’s a silent assassin on the sidelines, sharpening her camera skills to shoot the action while finding her directorial groove.
Each time Jayden Coke entered orbit and crashed down with a seismic dunk, Megan was there.
When Dylan Wilkie applied clamps on his hapless opposites, Megan was there.
Win, lose or draw, Megan was there to capture it all.
“There were thousands upon thousands of files I’d go through, especially after each game, I would file through over 200 videos,” she said.
“On top of that, I was taking photos for the paper because I would need photos after each game.
“So, I’d take between 2000 and 3000 photos a game.”
How does one tackle such a task?
You don’t do it alone.
A cornerstone of the documentary’s success is her “amazing partner in crime”, News journalist and fellow director Jay Bryce.
“I’ve learnt a lot about basketball through doing this documentary, but also from him,” Megan said.
“He’s a little inspiration, really, because he’s only 21 years old.”
Fast-forward 12 months, and their documentary is not only showing signs of life, it’s a stitch in Shepparton’s sporting storyline.
When unveiled to the world, it will be a time of celebration for the filmmakers and the stars that powered its narrative.
“I’m keen to see their (the Gators players) reactions and hear their thoughts,” Megan said.
“It’s been a lot — and I mean a lot — of work, but I’ve loved every minute of it.
“I wanted to put everything I had into this and show that you can do anything you put your mind to.
“That’s what this documentary is about — if there’s no risk, there’s no story.
“The Gators didn’t win finals, but they won hearts.”
Shot and produced on the smell of an oily rag, it’s no coincidence that Megan and Jay struck gold with Underdog.
Undoubtedly, attendees will be glued to the screen, but there’s something beneath the footage they should know.
Every shot, every frame, every angle is evidence of a woman whose mind and heart are bursting with ideas, energy and talent.
Underdog: The Shepparton Gators Story is a McPherson Media Group documentary produced by News senior photographer Megan Fisher and journalist Jay Bryce.
The official screening is on Thursday, November 21, at 6pm for a 6.30pm start at the University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health, 49 Graham St, Shepparton (opposite GV Health).
Tickets are available for purchase on the News website for $15.
All proceeds will support All Abilities basketball in Shepparton.
The premiere screening event of ‘Underdog’ would not have been possible without the support of Gagliardi Scott Real Estate, Synergy Traffic, CAF Consulting, The Nelson Family, Conquest Pools, State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe, the University of Melbourne and the McPherson Media Group.