Sport

Seventh heaven for Shepparton stops Seymour’s surge

By Callum Farquhar

Jun 28, 2026

Shepparton's Lewis McShane swings through his kicking action. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

First versus third was a blockbuster on paper, but Shepparton has proved there’s levels to the current crop of Goulburn Valley League finals contenders.

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Against Seymour for the second time this season, Shepparton proved to the Lions yet again it is the team to beat, hardly breaking a sweat in its round 12 GVL victory.

Seymour was in the hunt for three quarters, but it felt as if Shepparton had yet to leave first gear before its final quarter charge - a seven-goal avalanche to two to rip the game from the Lions’ paws.

After being held goalless against Tatura, Luke Smith returned to form in fine style with a bag of five, three of which came in the final term surge.

Smith’s first of the day opened the account for the Bears, before Mitchell Fleming and Spencer Sharp sailed the Sherrin through the middle too, the latter kicking his first in senior football after a debut in round 11.

A 13-point lead at quarter time was in place for the Bears, forcing Seymour to find some grit to work its way back into the contest - and that it did, with a four-goal-to-two term bringing the margin back to a point at the main break.

Seymour playing coach Jack Murphy was instrumental despite the Lions loss, and a goal to put the Kings Park tenants in front after returning from the sheds looked like a potential momentum swinging moment.

Shepparton said otherwise.

Five goals unanswered put a 24-point deficit in front of the Lions, but with time still to spare in the term Seymour would hit back to make it a 12-point margin at three-quarter-time.

However, the Bears had fuel in the tank to run out the game, kicking four of their seven last term goals in red time as fatigued Lions legs gave in on the Bear hunt, Shepparton securing a 45-point victory, 10.10 (70) to 17.13 (115).

It was the Bear cubs that shaped the victory on Saturday as Sharp (two goals) and Liam Teague (two) were influential on the scoreboard, while ruckman Liam Broom and agile small Sam O’Brien earned spots in the best.

The Lions loss ends a three-game winning streak for the club, with Seymour to take on Benalla at home next as the Saints come off a valiant effort against Echuca.

The Bears return to home soil for a round one rematch against co-owners of Deakin Reserve Shepparton United.