Shepparton Swans v Kyabram
When these teams met in Round 10, there was just one point in it at half-time before Kyabram broke the game open with a six-goal third quarter.
The Swans have rarely been dominated by the other top-six teams but have managed only one win (against Rochester) in six games against finals-bound sides. They’re almost certain to face Mansfield in a knockout final in two weeks.
This weekend’s final home-and-away game follows Kyabram’s response to their first loss of the season, racking up 438 disposals (+133) against Echuca and winning by 33 points.
Despite losing contested possessions (-11), the Bombers dominated most other statistical categories—marks (+41), clearances, and inside 50s.
Co-captain Aidan Robinson showed his versatility by moving into defence, despite kicking 28 goals this season. He took five intercept marks, had six rebound 50s among his 24 disposals, and laid five tackles (171 ranking points).
Archie Watt starred in attack, kicking four straight goals, with six inside 50s and 28 disposals. He and Tom Holman each took four marks inside 50.
They’ll pose serious problems for the Swans’ defence, which just held off an improved Euroa side last weekend (winning by nine points after trailing at half-time).
Prediction: Kyabram by 34 points
LTTM: Round 10, 2025: Kyabram won by 13 points
Shepparton United v Euroa
Euroa’s recent form has been highly encouraging. Despite finishing with just five wins and in 8th spot, they have a chance to continue their strong run against United.
The Magpies lost by nine points to the 6th-ranked Swans but won several statistical categories and impressed despite the loss. In the past month, they’ve:
Run 2nd-ranked Rochester to within three points
Lost to 7th-ranked Seymour by two points
Beaten Mooroopna by 79 points
Nearly upset the Swans
United is also coming off a strong result—their second win of the season. Sitting 11th, their 36-point win was their best performance of the year.
Jessie Cucinotta returned and led the way with 30 disposals, seven tackles, nine clearances, and seven inside 50s (151 ranking points). He and Kyle Clarke were outstanding.
Cucinotta will have his hands full with Lachlan Hill, who had another 34-touch game and seven inside 50s. He kicked one goal but missed two others that could’ve made the difference.
Prediction: Euroa by 26 points
LTTM: Round 12, 2025: Euroa won by 31 points
Tatura v Rochester
Rochester has a range of gears, and in their 23-point win against Benalla last weekend, they seemed content to stay in second or third for most of the afternoon.
They lifted significantly in the second term, kicking six goals to lead by five goals at half-time. However, they were outscored in the second half by the Saints.
Tatura won’t threaten Rochester’s top-two finish, but the Tigers will be keen to use the weekend to tune up for a big qualifying final against Kyabram.
Hugh Hamilton had only one gear—full throttle. The Bulldogs’ defenders can expect to be under pressure from the in-form goalkicker, who has kicked 16 goals in the last three weeks. His 6.3 on the weekend came from 14 disposals and included five marks inside 50.
He and his brothers, Wil and Cooper, were the Tigers’ best. Wil kicked three goals from four inside 50 marks and 16 disposals, while Cooper had 29 touches, laid seven tackles, and added six clearances and six inside 50s.
Mitch Trewhella didn’t play in the second half but had 13 disposals, seven clearances, and two tackles in the first.
Andy Henderson led the Tigers’ defence with four intercept marks, while Bailey Wileman’s seven tackles and seven clearances, along with a goal, contributed to a 134-point game.
Prediction: Rochester by 124 points
LTTM: Round 7, 2025: Rochester won by 138 points
Seymour v Shepparton
Seymour won’t play finals this season but will finish as the best team outside the top six, thanks to a 113-point win and nine goals from star forward Riley Mason.
Mason’s 202-ranking-point game was a weekend highlight. If he lines up again, he’ll be a major challenge for the finals-bound Bears. He had 30 disposals (22 kicks), took 18 marks (14 inside 50—a season high in the GVL), kicked 9.2, and had five inside 50s.
Shepparton lost for the first time since their Round 11 bye last weekend, going down to Mansfield. Bound for an elimination final against Echuca, the Bears won’t want to enter the finals with back-to-back losses.
The 15-point loss came despite Shepparton winning several statistical categories. They led Mansfield by 21 points at quarter-time but kicked only four behinds in the second term, with their lead cut to 11 points at half-time.
Mansfield kicked nine goals to Shepparton’s four in the second half.
Shepparton won disposals (+32), hit-outs (+37), marks (+19), and inside 50s—but not where it mattered.
In attack, Lewis McShane kicked two goals and had 147 ranking points. He finished with 26 disposals, six marks, four tackles, five clearances, and three rebound 50s.
Prediction: Shepparton by 35 points
LTTM: Round 7, 2025: Seymour won by 16 points
Benalla v Mansfield
Mansfield is doing just about everything right in the lead-up to finals, as shown by their win over Shepparton last weekend—despite losing several statistical categories.
They were -32 for disposals, -19 for marks, -37 for hit-outs, -4 for tackles, -1 for inside 50s, and only won clearances by two. However, they won the contested ball count and were awarded eight more free kicks.
The 15-point win came after Shepparton led by 21 points at quarter-time and still held an 11-point lead at half-time. Mansfield won the second half nine goals to four and now looks set to face the Swans in a knockout final.
Billy Hogan was the difference in attack, having seven shots on goal for a return of four majors. He took four inside 50 marks, had 19 disposals (18 kicks), and even worked back into defence for three rebound 50s.
Prediction: Mansfield by 73 points
LTTM: Round 8, 2025: Mansfield won by 88 points
Mooroopna v Echuca
Injury-riddled Echuca will have the chance to warm up for another finals series when they face 10th-ranked Mooroopna on Saturday.
Echuca is bound for an elimination final against 5th-ranked Shepparton next week—a team they beat convincingly in last year’s grand final. It will be the Murray Bombers’ first post-COVID cut-throat final.
They’ve played in three straight qualifying finals, beating Shepparton (2024), Seymour (2023), and Mansfield (2022), and won all three premierships. They also finished on top in 2021 before finals were abandoned.
Last weekend, Echuca was completely outplayed by Kyabram, who had 133 more disposals, 41 more marks, 12 more inside 50s, and 10 more clearances.
Echuca did win hit-outs and contested disposals, thanks largely to Sam Reid’s 20 contested possessions and the work of their four ruckmen—Kane Morris, Lachie Watson, Liam Tenace, and Hugh Byrne.
Reid had 35 touches, 10 clearances, 10 rebound 50s, and four inside 50s. He was supported by defender Riley Smith (27 touches, 23 kicks, seven rebound 50s).
Tenace kicked three goals and took four marks inside 50, while Byrne added two goals in a quieter game.
Prediction: Echuca by 51 points
LTTM: Round 9, 2025: Echuca won by 45 points
