Sport

Shepparton United confirms clean sweep as maiden finals appearance beckons for Cobram

By Josh Huntly

Aug 4, 2026

Shepparton United's Payton Johnston charges after the football. Photo by Megan Fisher

Then there were four.

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There were no surprises heading into the final round of the Goulburn Murray Women and Girls season, with the top four already set in stone.

But there was plenty to play for in round 14, and for Tatura, it was Sarah Lange-Richards.

The Bulldogs midfielder and 2024 league best-and-fairest played her 100th club game in the Tatura Park showdown against Shepparton United, another feather in the cap of the popular stalwart after celebrating her half century of senior games earlier this year.

Lange-Richards unsurprisingly helped spearhead Tatura’s charge against the reigning premier alongside Cian Danskin and Sophie Seedsman, but with the Dees seeking an unbeaten home-and-away campaign, they too had plenty to play for despite already sewing up the minor premiership.

Paige Baksh booted four goals and a Kate Dixon and Emily Zampaglione-inspired United launched to a 10.16 (76) to 2.0 (12) win – their 16th in a row.

It was the game at Moama, however, that confirmed the Dees’ first opponent in the mission for back-to-back flags.

Despite looking likely to come in as underdogs, it will be a proud Cobram on two fronts strutting its stuff at Deakin Reserve in the first semi-final.

The Tigers were downed by two goals by second-placed Moama, but with fourth already confirmed heading into the clash on the border, the club will compete in its maiden finals series in just its first season.

It’s a feat mirrored by Cobram’s Youth Girls, who finished third and will play the Pies at 11.30am this Sunday.

Shepparton Swans hosted the final game of their inaugural season with plenty to like despite a loss to finals-bound Mansfield, with Alyssa Delos, Adeline Antolis, Sarah Miller standing tall.

But the likes of Mim Davidson (six goals), and Amy Starzer (five) showed why the Eagles are headed to finals, finishing third and booking in a semi-final against Moama.

Elsewhere, Nathalia’s Abby Favaro booted seven goals as the Purples ended the 2026 campaign with a 65-point victory over Rumbalara.

It’s set to be a super Sunday at Deakin Reserve with a full slate of do-or-die semi-finals, especially in the Youth Girls competition.

Minor premiers Moama will face the Tigers in back-to-back to weeks after a big win on Sunday, while it’s a Shepparton derby between United and the Swans in the opening game of the day that will have local supporter bases on the edge of their seats.