A CASE OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS FOR 2022 GOULBURN VALLEY LEAGUE SEASON
For the leading contenders in the Goulburn Valley League, it’s a case of unfinished business in 2022.
Echuca, Seymour and Euroa return to the field next month for the first time since last year’s sudden announcement to cancel the season on the eve of finals action.
That decision, prompted by COVID-19, left the trio inside the top three pegs on the ladder and on nine wins each.
Only percentage could separate the three talented outfits, but it was Echuca which walked away with the minor premiership.
League followers may have been robbed of what was certain to be a captivating finals series, but after more than eight months, the fire that was sparked in 2021 will once again flare up.
Most pundits see the Murray Bombers, Lions and Magpies as the teams to beat this campaign and it’s hard to argue against that sentiment.
Glance back 12 months and nobody had Seymour pencilled in to make finals. However, you would struggle to find anyone who isn’t chips in on Seymour this time around.
Ben Davey’s outfit — overflowing with stars such as reigning Morrison medallist Jack O’Sullivan and VFL guns Michael Hartley and Louis Pinnuck — is hungry for success. Echuca is the first cab off the rank to challenge the Lions. Andrew Walker and Simon Maddox return to steer the Murray Bombers again for another tilt after falling at the last hurdle in 2019.
Could former AFL talent Sam Reid be the side’s missing puzzle piece?
Euroa is arguably one of the most exciting teams in the competition.
Boasting class performers such as JD Hayes, Erish Uthayakumar, Jack Hellier, Ben Giobbi, Noah Hura and former AFL ruckman Paul Hunter, Euroa will prove hard to beat.
The Magpies are in the box seat to end their 32-year premiership drought.
And don’t go writing off Kyabram.
The reigning premier may look a touch different from 2019, but with superstar coach Paul Newman back at the helm, you can guarantee the Bombers will factor come September.
Elsewhere, Mansfield mentor Chad Owens has quietly been assembling his troops.
The Eagles have added quality to their ranks, most noticeably former VFL gun Jack Hutchins, and shape up as a potential finals outfit.
Mooroopna, led by maestro coach John Lamont, will once again prove to its opponents that it has what it takes to play finals football.
Meanwhile, the return of Rochester product and North Melbourne great Shaun Atley will give the Tigers a considerable boost to their chances of climbing the ladder.
Tatura, Shepparton and Shepparton Swans look like the next handful of outfits that will push sides, but all with young lists, still look some years away from challenging for silverware.
Benalla has struggled for numbers during the summer break, while Shepparton United has faced an exodus of players and faces a genuine rebuild in the coming season.