OUTS: Ethan Baxter (Katandra), Oscar Lambourn (Numurkah)
ONE TO WATCH - TANNER MADIGAN
After an exciting start to 2025, Madigan was struck down with a ruptured PCL and missed the remainder of the season. However, Stevenson said the young Bear cub has come to pre-season “fitter, bigger and stronger” and has been a leading light over the summer. The young gun will be pivotal in Shepparton’s push to return to grand final day and whether he be placed across half-back or in the guts, expect Madigan to stamp his mark on the league in 2026.
COACHES CORNER / XAVIER STEVENSON
What’s the biggest focus for your group in 2026?
Like anyone, it is about continual development and improvement. We made finals last year with a young group and we feel like there is going to be some real nice natural growth within our football club.
What will supporters notice about this team?
We have started to develop a trademark in which we play in that we are quite a quick and fast football team that is able to move the football well and transition across the game. Hopefully (supporters) will notice an improvement in our contest and inner circle work.
What’s your side’s greatest strength?
Our ability to cover the ground and use our leg speed. We have numerous individuals who cover the ground really, really well, so it is definitely a strength.
What still needs the most work?
Areas of growth would be potentially our contest work and these things which we are continuing to go to school on to bridge that gap between where we finished last year and those top couple of teams.
What does success look like for this group in 2026?
There is no ceiling. Over the last two years we have been in and around the mark.
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