Shepparton United and Shepparton South will meet at Beischer Park on Sunday to decide the 2025 champions, the first time the two clubs will do so in the biggest game of the season since 2014, back when the competition was still the Goulburn North East Football Association.
The Blues’ first grand final appearance since 2018 came at the expense of Tatura in the semi-final at Strathfieldsaye Reserve, ending the Ibises’ bid for a fourth consecutive title.
Farid Azizi broke the deadlock 10 minutes in, and when Riki Koyanagi doubled the lead just 15 minutes later, the Blues supporters were in full voice.
Tatura fought to claw its way back into the contest, but Rumesh Bartaula’s 78th-minute strike sealed the deal as United completed a 3-0 win.
Blues’ boss Roven Shaholli now knows the opportunity ahead of his squad – he was playing the last time they lifted the cup.
“It’s been a long time coming for the club,” Shaholli said.
“It’s good to see the club there again.
“The boys were well-prepared, and they took (the opportunity) in both hands.
“It's massive for the crowd and the supporters, the hard work that people have put in.
“It's not just about me or the team, it's the whole club, so the boys know what it means to everyone to get us here.”
Facing United will be their McEwen Reserve co-tenants Shepparton South, who battled fiercely against FC Eaglehawk in a gruelling contest for their grand final spot.
Both team’s defensive halves worked overtime at Truscott Reserve, with Rohan Byrne, Greg Nash, and Khalid Mostafa holding steady for the black and white.
Craig Mathieson finally broke the deadlock shortly before half-time after Joel Aitken was infringed in the box, converting the penalty to send South a goal up.
That was where the score stayed, sending South to their first grand final since 2023.
“We always knew it was going to be a hard challenge going over on their home ground,” Shepparton South coach Luke Viney said.
“(They have) obviously been a bit of a bogey team for us this year, beating us twice in the league.
“So we knew it was going to be a tough challenge, but the boys prepared themselves correctly.
“They were up for the fight from the first minute.”
In the women’s semi-finals, Shepparton South’s brave campaign came to an end at the hands of the unbeaten Spring Gully.
After securing a heart-stopping penalty shootout victory in last week’s elimination final, South pushed the incumbent favourites the distance, with the only blemish a Letesha Bawden goal in the 41st minute.
Despite their efforts, South couldn’t reel in a winner of their own, drawing the curtain on an impressive fifth to penultimate final campaign.
Meanwhile, Strathfieldsaye Reserve saw eight goals scored in the semi-final between Shepparton United and Strathfieldsaye Colts.
The two sides went into half-time with scores locked at 2-2 after Rosemarene Legalo and Maria Villani’s strikes.
Elizabeth Watkins handed the Colts the lead in the 67th minute, but Villani’s second goal two minutes later simply tied proceedings up yet again.
Watkins had the last laugh, however, firing off another two goals to propel the Colts to a 5-3 victory.
Shepparton SC will be represented on grand final day after a 2-1 win over Shepparton South in the reserves.
The Reds will face Eaglehawk after the Hawks defeated Tatura 3-2.
