Shepparton East completed back-to-back undefeated A-grade seasons.
Oh, what could have been.
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Lancaster was just 30 minutes from A-grade glory, leading Shepparton East, a side which hadn’t lost for two years, by four goals, 22-18, at half-time.
The Eagles weren’t at their best, the Wombats defenders forcing turnovers and retrieving missed shots, and at the other end, Lancaster was continually earning two or three opportunities at the goal with great rebounding work.
Lancaster had Shepparton East on the ropes, but couldn’t put the Eagles away. Photos: Jordan Townrow
But Kyabram District League glory wasn’t to be for the Wombats.
It isn’t easy to compile 35 victories in a row and Shepparton East didn’t let number 36 go begging.
By three-quarter time the margin had been reversed and suddenly it was 31-27 Eagles.
Suddenly those missed shots weren’t falling the Wombats’ way.
Molly Carver sets to pass.
The inlet passes, which had been weighted perfectly before the half were sailing just a few inches overhead or through fingertips.
And the route to goal for East started to open up.
It wasn’t a complete turnaround, but a subtle shift in the one-percenters, and in the biggest game of the year, against a dominant favourite, those little things can be just enough to change a game.
Shepp East’s Lauren James and Lancaster’s Renee Ashmore can’t get to the lofted pass.
Throughout the final term, Lancaster had its chances, within two or three and in possession, but it couldn’t find that magic formula, and it was Shepparton East that completed a second unbeaten year in a row.
“We knew that we just had to stay with them” Eagles coach Kate Durling said.
“We knew that they were going to come out really strong like they did in the semi-final and then hopefully our structures and our fitness and our gel would come through with the goods at the end.”
Olivia Keady plays it in from the back.
Two years unbeaten is no small feat and Durling pointed to cohesion and work ethic as her side’s keys to success.
“We gel on and off the court, we're a really close unit,” she said.
“We've got some really strong players and they lift the rest of the players in the group and we've been able to put what we practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays nights onto the court.”
Goal attack Kali Frost was best-on-court in the final.
Goal attack Kali Frost won the best-on-court medal in the final, forming a lethal partnership with fellow goaler Maddison Newey in the goal circle.
“She's had a really good season,” Durling said.
“She's always been strong on the hold and strong overhead and she just had to convert today.
“She always gives 110 per cent and it really showed.”
Ali Hall remains composed in midcourt.
After the game, Lancaster co-caoch Raz Hilton shared admiration for her squad, after an influx of talent saw the Wombats rise from 11th in 2025 to a grand final.
“I could not be prouder of this playing group,” she said.
“Walk off the court with your heads held high today and be back bigger and better next year.”
Rebecca Rendina goes overhead from the centre circle.
Bridget Murray tries to control it.
Shepparton East and its supporters celebrate after the siren.
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