FROM THE BRINK... Shepparton United Football Club Reserve side celebrated their extraordinary come-from-behind win over Seymour on Sunday. Photo: Will Adams
By Aaron Cordy
THREE last-quarter goals from Ramadan Yze drove the fight-back, leading Shepparton United (SU) to an unlikely GVL Reserves Grand Final victory against the undefeated powerhouse Seymour last Sunday.
Breaking a ten-year Reserve’s Grand Final drought, SU appeared to be on their knees at the end of last season when they were smacked by a whopping 200 points in their last game of the season last year, by a Seymour which was unstoppable. The start of the 2023 season SU was forced to forfeit games because they couldn’t field a side. Then played with only 16 players in other weeks.
FROM THE BRINK… Shepparton United Football Club Reserve side celebrated their extraordinary come-from-behind win over Seymour on Sunday. Photo: Will Adams
The hardship didn’t break the unwavering spirit of SU led by coach Jason Ritchie. Not even when they went into the three-quarter time huddle trailing Seymour by 18 points. The seven goals to one final term gifted SU with the victory and Ramadan Yze’s heroics earnt him the Peter Ryan Medal for Best on Ground.
Seniors: Echuca Football Netball Club (103) defeated Kyabram Football Netball Club (67) to claim the 2023 GOTAFE GVL Seniors Football Premiership.
Wilf Cox Medal: Sam Willoughby – Echuca
Reserves: Shepparton United Football Netball Club(71) defeated Seymour Football Netball Club(58)Peter Ryan Medal: Rum Yze – Shepparton United
Under-18: Echuca Football Netball Club (95) defeated Shepparton Swans (50)
AFL VIC Country Medal: Makai Cronin – Echuca
Freddo McMahon Medal: Noah Langborne – Echuca
The air up there… Brody Telford #48 for Shepp United, battled hard all day against his Seymour opponents.Shepp United’s Rum Yze kicked three last quarter goals to ignite a come-back for the ages. Here he is in the middle of a stoppage receiving assistance from #42 Jordan Loverso, #18 Jordan Wiggins and #3 Duane Hueston.A coach’s delight… Shepp United Reserves footy coach Jason Ritchie and Assistant coach Mark Lewis congratulate their team.Historic win… Shepparton United Reserves footy team have done the unthinkable, coming from early in the season when they had to forfeit one or two games due to low numbers and player sicknesses, they have stormed home to make finals and eventually defeat Seymour Reserves team in the Grand Final on Sunday at Deakin Reserve, in what can only be described as a David & Goliath battle with a fairytale ending!
The final score was Shepp United 11.5.71 to Seymour 8.10.58 but it wasn’t all United’s way, trailing by 18 points going into the last quarter that’s when the real magic happened, Shepp United kicked seven goals and two points to Seymour’s two goals one point to absolutely storm home for an historic win!
From left are Ramadan “Rum” Yze, Archie Lewis, Mark Lewis and brothers Ed Adams & Sam Adams celebrate after receiving their premiership medals. Photos: Will Adams
