A mix of recruitment and development the key to Shepparton’s Goulburn Valley League rise

For Shepparton supporters and football fans across the region, these four signings were more than just adding talent to the Bears’ 2024 roster.

They were a stark reminder of Shepparton’s last premiership, a two-point thriller over powerhouse Kyabram in 2018.

All four of those players were part of the side that took down the mighty Bombers during that memorable day at Deakin Reserve six years ago.

Their signatures to return to the Bears for the 2024 season were a sign that Shepparton was ready to return to centre stage as a dominant force in the league once more.

Having finished in seventh spot on the ladder in 2023, the Bears bounded back up the ladder this season and have booked a place in Sunday’s senior football grand final against Echuca.

Shepparton co-captain Mitch Brett — who has been with the club since 2013, when he joined as an under-18s player — said that this year had been one of the best seasons he had been a part of.

“We have had some years where we haven’t won a game, and they have been long years, but these are the ones that are enjoyable, and when you get some wins on the board, that is always good,” Brett said.

“The feeling is good; we have a good mix with not too many old blokes — only three over 30.

“There are a lot of young blokes with a few in their mid-20s, so it is a really good mix.”

Coming up against Echuca on Sunday, Brett said he could see the parallels between the 2018 and 2024 grand finals.

“There are a lot of similarities, to be honest,” he said.

“Kyabram went in favourites then, and to be honest, Echuca deservedly is the favourite heading in on Sunday.

“Both were going for three-peats, so there are a lot of similarities between 2018 and this year.

“Hopefully, the result can go the same as it did back then.”

While the inclusions of Smith, Holland, Duguid and Brett have added quality and depth to the Bears’ starting 22, Mitch Brett said the development of Shepparton’s youth had been equally important.

“The four ins that we brought in this year, the past premiership players, they are all very good footballers,” he said.

“The kids, the 19-21-year-olds, they have all gotten better and continued to grow, which helps.

“If they don’t continue to step up and get better, which they have, then we don’t get to go forward and jump up the ladder like we have.”

The Bears’ stars may dominate the News’ headlines, but the emergence of young guns such as Connor Fleming, Ned Byrne, Zac Metcalf, Oscar Lambourn and many others have been pivotal to Shepparton’s growth in 2024.

Co-coach Ted Lindon agreed with Brett, imploring that the emergence of young players at the club as consistent performers for the Bears had helped catapult the side into premiership contention.

“Clearly, those four lads (Smith, Holland, Duguid and Brett) have had a profound effect on us as a footy side,” Lindon said.

“They are four quality players, but also fantastic people with fantastic families as well.

“They have been super important for our side, but just as important have been our younger brigade.

“The internal growth from that cohort; they have complimented each other really well.”