Shepparton United's Olivia Kirby stretches out.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Could this Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball season have any more twists?
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In a stunning blow to Echuca’s minor premiership claim, Shepparton United has beaten the Murray Bombers by a single goal to keep its own finals chances mathematically alive heading into the final round of the season.
In the 49-48 round 17 victory at Deakin Reserve, goal shooter Ellie Robinson scored twice in the final minute to put the Demons in front, sending shock waves down the GVL A-grade table, with round 18 set to be the most consequential weekend of the season.
The Demons’ season still has a pulse following the upset, four premiership points outside the top six in ninth, but should they beat Mansfield in round 18 and have other results fall their way, finals could still be a possibility.
Echuca's Belinda Lee looks for her shooter.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton United's Olivia Kirby stretches out.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton United's Grace McInneny scans the court.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton United's Shinea Sali gets the ball moving.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton United's Montanna Burke searches for a teammate.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton United's Sophie Garner was crucial to the Demons' upset win.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Meanwhile, Tatura has overtaken Seymour on the ladder after the Bulldogs defeated Benalla 61-32, and the Lions suffered a one-goal defeat to the clutch time Swans, 42-43.
Shepparton Swans have won their last three games by a combined six goals, with the narrow victories keeping the red and white alive in the finals race.
The Swans are eighth, outside the top six by two premiership points, and with a game against Benalla to come, the club’s sudden rise towards a finals berth is more likely than ever.
Mooroopna has climbed into first place after defeating a valiant Mansfield by 10 goals, 45-35, but its hold on the minor premiership isn’t certain.
The Cats face Echuca in a final round top of the table clash, but should Echuca win, Euroa could still claim the minor premiership via a percentage-boosting win over Kyabram next weekend.
Euroa played Rochester at Rochester Recreation Reserve on Saturday and defeated the Tigers 63-41 in playing coach Ellie Warnock’s first game since the announcement of her 2027 re-signing.
Warnock stated the Magpies’ 2026 campaign has been “incredibly rewarding”, as Euroa look for a second premiership in three years.
“I’m over the moon to be re-appointed as A-grade coach,” Warnock said.
“The connection within the team is a huge part of what makes coaching so enjoyable.
“There’s a wonderful culture at Euroa that continues to build across all sides each season, and I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve so far in 2026.”
Shepparton sits seventh after round 17 but is only out of the six by percentage following a 24-95 trouncing of Kyabram.
Heading into the final round, this is the state of play.
Tatura, Seymour, Mansfield and Shepparton all share 36 premiership points, while the Swans (eighth, 34 points) and United (ninth, 32 points) remain additional possibilities.
Tatura and Seymour face off in a must-win contest, as Shepparton enter as favourites against Rochester while Shepparton Swans also do so against Benalla.
A loss for the Bulldogs or Lions could bundle them out of the six.
A ladder-shaping clash between Mansfield and Shepparton United also beckons, while Mooroopna, Echuca and Euroa could all shift around inside the top three, with a top-two double chance on the line.
The GVL’s final round of A-grade netball is one you won’t want to miss.
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