The year 2022 will go down as one of the most memorable in the history of the Goulburn Valley. The first full year of uninterrupted sport since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the past 12 months have seen top-level international sporting events on our doorstep, our beloved exports dominate the professional scene, as well as a number of thrilling contests across district competitions. So we at The News sports desk thought we would take the opportunity to cast our mind back and pick out our top 10 moments from the past year.
5. Goulburn Valley League grand final day makes emphatic return
After three long years, grand final day finally returned to the Goulburn Valley League in September — and boy did it deliver.
Greeted with picture perfect conditions, the day started with a host of thrilling junior contests on both the football field and netball court.
These earlier clashes set the stage for the main events as Seymour took on Shepparton United in a 2019 A-grade netball grand final rematch and Echuca battled Euroa as both clubs hoped to break premierships droughts that spanned more than 20 years.
On the netball court, it was a celebration of all things Seymour as the A-grade girls carried on the momentum from victories in the B-grade and B-reserve to come away convincing 53-39 victors.
Things were a lot more tense on the football field, however.
Heading into the decider a heavy favourite, it appeared Echuca was well on its way to delivering another rout as it kicked the first four goals.
But to the Magpies’ credit, they absorbed the early punches and kept themselves in the contest up until three-quarter time.
From there they produced arguably the best 15-minute patch of football seen by any side throughout the season as they piled on four unanswered goals to hit the front halfway through the final term.
With the crowd at Deakin Reserve in a state of shock, it appeared Euroa was going to pull off the incredible upset.
But as all champion sides do, the Murray Bombers mustered one last charge, with goals to Jackson Stewart and Kane Morris seeing them claim a thrilling 11.12 (78) to 10.6 (66) victory.
4. AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifers hit Shepparton
Some of Asia and Australia’s brightest young soccer talent graced the pitch of McEwen Reserve in October.
Taking part in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023 Qualifying Group G, Australia joined China, Cambodia and the Northern Mariana Islands in the Goulburn Valley.
With each team playing three matches and Australia finishing top of the group, Shepparton was thrust into the global spotlight through Northern Mariana Islands coach Michiteru Mita’s post-match press conference.
A once-in-a-generation event, Australia had not seen an Asian youth soccer tournament played on its home soil for time time, with Shepparton making the case for future events to be held in the region.
Gaining praise for its facilities, hospitality and sense of community, the qualifiers broadcast the city across Asia and are sure to have a lasting impact on Shepparton — and the athletes that played in the games — for many years to come.
3. City of Greater Shepparton learns what role it will play in the 2026 Commonwealth Games
For the City of Greater Shepparton, the announcement of a regional Victoria Commonwealth Games in 2026 was meant to be a joyous one, especially since the idea spawned out of a famous press conference at Victoria Park Lake in 2017.
But unfortunately, the initial announcement was greeted with disappointment for everybody in the Shepparton region, as we were overlooked by the state government to be one of the four host cities.
For the following six months we were left in the dark as to what role, if any, we would play in the regional Victoria sporting showcase.
And then one wet October afternoon, our prayers were finally answered, as deputy premier Jacinta Allan and a host of representatives from the Commonwealth Games committee came to town and delivered the announcement we had been craving.
Shepparton would be hosting a ‘festival of cycling’ as part of the Games, as well as a corresponding cultural festival.
Making use of the world-class facility at Shepparton Sports City, the region will play host to the BMX racing competition, along with the men’s and women’s time trials for the road cycling.
2. Mooroopna breaks GVL finals drought with memorable upset win over Echuca
Whether it is the classic tale of David versus Goliath or Buster Douglas toppling the great Mike Tyson, there is nothing more exciting than a classic upset.
And in the final round of the Goulburn Valley League season, Mooroopna produced the most incredible underdog story as it toppled the previously undefeated Echuca to punch its ticket to the finals for the first time since 2014.
After sitting in the top six for the entire season, the Cats seemed destined for heartbreak, as losses to Mansfield and Euroa in the preceding fortnight had their finals hopes sitting on a knife’s edge.
The early stages of the clash went to script, as the dominant Murray Bombers flew out of the blocks and kicked the first four goals.
But in what was a theme of Mooroopna’s 2022 season, it did not give up.
Playing without any fear, the Cats worked their way back into the contest in the second term before taking control in the third.
Led by a clinical six-goal performance by spearhead Chris Nield, the Cats took a seven-point lead into three-quarter time.
Star recruit Jackson Trengove then put the Cats 17 points clear midway through the final term, and the fans at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve starting muttering the magic F-word.
But the Murray Bombers mustered one last charge, with a pair of quick goals trimming the margin to a solitary kick.
It was set up for an enthralling final two minutes, and Mooroopna remarkably held on for the victory as pandemonium engulfed the Cattery after the final siren sounded.
“This group of young men thoroughly deserve to play finals footy, and the evidence of that was for all to see out there today,” an emotional Mooroopna coach John Lamont said after the game.
“Echuca had four on the board early to our nothing, so we just had to slowly claw our way back in, stick on task, and these boys have been terrific all year with their ability to fight it out.
“Our theme heading into the game was just ‘why not us?’. We spoke about how upsets happen in sport, and today I saw our boys pull off a great one.”
1. Garang Kuol makes Socceroos debut, plays in World Cup
The incredible rise of Shepparton’s Garang Kuol well and truly deserves the number one spot on this list.
Making his way through the ranks at A-League club Central Coast Mariners, Kuol shot to stardom in May when playing for the A-League’s All Stars against Barcelona.
Capturing the imagination of the Australian soccer public through his skill, hard work and his personality, Kuol would go on to sign for English Premier League club Newcastle United, with the 18-year-old making his Socceroos debut against New Zealand in September.
The peak of the Shepparton export’s rise would come in November, when he came off the bench in Australia’s World Cup Group Stage game against France.
While he had minimal impact in this encounter, it would be in the knockout stages where he would stand up, with his late chance in the round-of-16 against eventual champion Argentina helping Australians dare to dream.
A once-in-a-generation talent, it is clear Kuol is only at the beginning of his journey and it would not be surprising if the talent was to remain in this list for many years to come.