While attention may turn this weekend toward the first round of finals in Goulburn Valley League, the region’s next crop of football stars will also be taking to the field for their shot at premiership glory.
Echuca and Tatura and St Augustine’s Blue and Yellow will go head-to-head at Deakin Reserve this Sunday in the under-13 Goulburn Murray Junior League grand finals, before Shepparton Notre Maroon and Shepparton Swans meet later that afternoon in the under-15 decider.
A thrilling round of under-15 semi-finals took place at Mooroopna last Sunday, when Shepparton Swans downed second-placed Shepparton Notre Gold 10.11 (71) to 3.5 (23).
Meanwhile, Shepparton Notre Maroon booked its spot in the big dance with a 15.8 (98) to 5.4 (34) win over Shepparton United.
Shepparton Swans mentor Chris Kendall said after a roller-coaster past two years, he and the boys were thrilled to be taking part in a grand final.
“Obviously with COVID over the last two years and no finals last year, it’s a relief for me and reward for the boys,” Kendall said.
“It’s been a two-year journey to get where we are, mentally, physically, to keep your team sound and to keep the kids motivated for that long is a challenge; it’s been a great effort from the boys, particularly over the last two weeks to deliver and play a great brand of football.
“It’s been pretty exciting for their parents and supporters and for me to see that they’re coming to the end of their journey, but to be playing their best football right at the end of the journey is pretty special.”
Kendall said a tight-knit group had come together during the past two years and that a team-first attitude had really begun to show during the course of the season.
“I look at the development of young footballers; it’s important in that we’ve been fortunate to be able to play a lot of our kids in the backline and in the forward line,” Kendall said.
“The biggest factor in our last two games is we’ve had 22 kids contributing in different areas, it’s not your typical eight to 12, we’ve got a really unique group that all contribute.
“It’s what you need in finals, what you contribute, be it a smother or a shepherd or whatever it is, we’ve been lucky to have those kids step up.
“They value each other and believe in each other and they don’t want to let the other down, which is showing in their aggression toward the ball and the one percenters and especially their tackling.”
The two sides have enjoyed similar seasons, recording 11 wins and two losses in the lead-up to finals.
As is the case when most good football teams do battle, Kendall said the contest could be decided in the middle of the ground, where two formidable on-ball brigades would do battle.
“Both teams, the engine rooms and on-ball unit will be the difference,” he said.
“Our on-ballers drive the wheel and have had a stellar year and obviously their’s have as well.
“It’s going to be a challenge for the midfielders, if we can shut them down and rebound off our backline — think it’s going to be a really close game and exciting for the crowd.”
As a junior footballer, taking part in a grand final is something that lives long in the memory Kendall said and his side would be embracing it for the challenge and experience it is this weekend.
“Obviously the boys are nervous, but I’m all about embracing the week,” he said.
“We’ve done a lot pre-finals things so they can soak up the whole week, that sort of thing may not occur for them for a while, whenever you get the opportunity to have something like this you’ve got to embrace it.
“You remember your finals, you may not remember too many home games, but it’s the milestones in your life that you remember.
“This is a unique opportunity for the boys, the nerves will come on the day for everyone, it just means you care.”
GMJL grand finals
Under-15
Shepparton Notre Maroon v Shepparton Swans (1.30pm)
Under-13
St Augustine’s Blue v St Augustine’s Yellow (10am)
Echuca v Tatura (11.45am)
All games played on Sunday, September 4 at Deakin Reserve.