Shepparton and Mooroopna’s thirds grand final shapes as impossible-to-pick Goulburn Valley League blockbuster

However, a look at Mooroopna’s latest stretch indicates the Cats are arguably the in-form team in the competition.

After round 13, the Cats were 6-7, barely clinging to a lower-end top-six spot.

But the switch flicked.

In round 14, the Cats defeated Shepparton Swans, a team they’d lost to previously, before taking down the Bears in Shepparton’s only loss to date, a low-scoring two-point victory.

That Mooroopna win was compounded by a 111-point turnaround compared to the pair’s first meeting too.

While both coaches admitted the playing groups and conditions were vastly different in each game, being the only side to claim a scalp on the Bears provides the Cats with a world of belief.

“We were still trying to qualify for finals at that stage, we were in the bottom half of the top six so it was a great win at the time because it propelled us into a strong finish to the season,” Mooroopna coach Tim Loughran said.

“The boys will be really confident, they’ve had a great back half of the year.

“They’ve shown plenty of resilience and determination throughout the season.

“We’ve had some good wins against some sides on top of the ladder in finals too, so we take great confidence into this game.”

Since the Bears upset, Mooroopna has not lost a game, but neither has Shepparton.

It’s hence why this match-up is between the best of the best, despite what the ladder reflected at season’s end.

Both Shepparton coach Trent Herbert and Mooroopna coach Loughran are champing at the bit for the battle to begin, and as they note, there are a lot of unknowns to play out, leaving neither coach sure of what to expect when the sides face off.

“There’ll be lots of changes to both teams since we played them last, with senior players and Murray Bushrangers players coming back into both teams,” Loughran said.

Herbert added to that view in agreeance.

“When we first played them they had a fair few out, and when they beat us they were just the best side on the day, conditions didn’t favour either side but it came at a good time for a bit of a reality check for us,” Herbert said.

“To be honest I’m looking forward for this weekend, it’s going to be quality, they’ve proven they’re the second best team.”

Having played in the big dance in Shepparton’s senior side last year, Herbert is aware of the big occasion and the emotions that tag along with it.

It’s why Herbert is instilling a calming attitude around the bubbling group, who are eager to hit the turf.

“We’re trying to keep it as normal as possible to be honest, they’re obviously very excited being a bit younger with their enthusiasm,” he said.

“It probably helps a few of them have played under-16s finals in previous years so they do have that experience a little bit in how to deal with these emotions they are getting this week.

“I’ve just been telling them it’s another game.”

A focus on playing the team role is vital for Herbert’s Bears this weekend, knowing a full four-quarter effort from all 22 boys will be what it takes to lift the premiership cup.

“We’ll be looking for our leaders to stand up, but across the board if each individual plays their role it will look after itself,” Herbert said.

“It will come down to who can settle into the game quickest and who can take control from there.”

Meanwhile Loughran is also hoping his leaders and talented troops embrace the bright lights of the big dance, with a trio of Cats challenged to be the ones to pounce.

“We’re really lucky in the sense we have high level players who have played in finals before,” Loughran said.

“Caden Ratcliffe, Oscar Emanuelli, Jacob Edmunds, really expecting those guys to perform really well.”