Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex played host to a super Saturday to conclude the 2023 Goulburn Valley Hockey Association junior season.
Grand finals took centre stage at the ‘’smurf turf’’, with premiers crowned under the warm August sun.
Shepparton Youth Club (SYC) featured in all age grade finals, but it was the under-12 division where the Scorchers ran out 13-3 victors over Strikers.
Zander Gillies was a dynamo for SYC as he struck eight goals on his lonesome during the 10-goal triumph, while William Linnett and Sadie Harrap hit the net for Strikers.
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Full focus: GV Grammar’s Elijah McLeod. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 10
Face forward: SYC’s Callum Bailey. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 10
In the goals: GV Grammar’s Finnian McLeod. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 10
Pass and move: SYC’s Caleb Gillies. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 10
On the swivel: GV Grammar’s Aidan Hamill. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 10
One on one: SYC’s Caleb Gillies and GV Grammar’s Aidan Hamill. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 10
Protect the net: SYC goalkeeper Zander Gillies. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 10
Stretching out: GV Grammar’s Aidan Hamill. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 10
At the ready: GV Grammar’s Olivia Gaunt. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 10
Foot race: SYC’s Callum Bailey and GV Grammar’s Abbie Robinson chase the ball down. Photo by Megan FisherMeanwhile, the under-14 final was the pick of the bunch.
A neck-and-neck encounter had Goulburn Valley Grammar Gold topple SYC 8-7, with Finnian McLeod’s hat-trick helping the former along to a thrilling one-goal win.
SYC threat Noah Gillies came ever so close to winning the game off his own stick, his six goals not enough to power the Scorchers to victory.
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Slide it through: Mooroopna’s Abigail Vaivars. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 11
Amber alert: Mooroopna’s Amber Armstrong. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 11
Go time: Mooroopna’s Riley Law duels with SYC’s Axel Irwin. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 11
Reach for it: Mooroopna’s Amber Armstrong. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 11
Unleashing: SYC’s Oliver Gillies. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 11
Down low: SYC’s Oliver Gillies. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 11
X-factor: Mooroopna’s Xavier Simm. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 11
Full tilt: SYC’s Hamish Ralston. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 11
Up and about: Mooroopna’s Ryder Darlow and Xavier Simm celebrate a goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 11
Swish and flick: Mooroopna’s Ryder Darlow. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 11
Head to head: Mooroopna’s Riley Law and SYC’s Oliver Gillies. Photo by Megan FisherAnd in the under-17 decider, SYC reigned supreme once again as it sent seven past Mooroopna.
Axel Irwin and Oliver Gillies bagged three apiece in the 7-4 victory, while Mooroopna talent Xavier Simm also netted a trio in the big dance.