Country footy: We predict the Goulburn Valley League’s final month

There’s just a month remaining in the Goulburn Valley League season and we’ve tried to predict how it will all play out.

The Goulburn Valley League is in the home stretch.

With four games remaining in the home-and-away season the race for the top six and double chance is red hot.

We’ve dusted off he crystal ball and attempted to predict where every club will finish.

No doubt it will be provide some message board motivation for all teams and fans.

Echuca are the premiership favourites. Photo: Yuri Kouzmin

ECHUCA (13-0-1, 266.55%)

Last four: Kyabram (H), Shepparton (A), Shepparton United (H), Mooroopna (A)

Chasing their first premiership since 2002, the Murray Bombers are the team to beat right now. Their only loss, in round 1 against Rochester, was only a result of points being stripped due to an administration error. The Andrew Walker and Simon Maddox co-coached outfit are flying. Former AFL utility Sam Reid recently returned from injury to boost the club’s flag hopes. They recently put their strongest team on the park for the season and were still missing big names. We can’t see them dropping another game.

Prediction: WWWW — 1st

EUROA (11-0-3, 181.40%)

Last four: Shepparton United (A), Seymour (A), Mooroopna (H), Benalla (A)

Euroa may not be able to claim the minor premiership, after their loss to Echuca, but it should still seal a top-two spot. The team faces two bottom three sides but faces potential finals contests against Mooroopna and Seymour. The Magpies should win all four contests on their way to the finals but Seymour away from home looms as their toughest test.

Prediction: WWWW — 2nd

Euroa is sitting second on the ladder. Photo: Facebook.

MANSFIELD (11-0-3, 155.45%)

Last four: Benalla (A), Mooroopna (H), Kyabram (H), Tatura (H)

Arguably the biggest surprise packets of the season. The Eagles won just five games in 2021 and now find themselves right in the premiership mix. The return of former Casey VFL captain Jack Hutchins to the club has been a massive win while the young guns have been brilliant. Two huge tests await against Mooroopna and Kyabram as they look to lock away a top three finish.

Prediction: WWWW — 3rd

MOOROOPNA (10-0-4, 148.65%)

Last four: Seymour (H), Mansfield (A), Euroa (A), Echuca (H)

This weekend’s match against Seymour could define how the rest of the season goes. The Cats have a tough run home, facing the top three sides, Echuca, Euroa, and Mansfield to close out the season. John Lamont’s side lost to all three by an average of seven goals earlier this season. If they lose all four the side could miss finals as other clubs have a better run home. A win against Seymour this weekend is a must.

Prediction: WLLL — 5th

KYABRAM (9-0-5, 149.62%)

Last four: Echuca (A), Benalla (H), Mansfield (A), Shepparton Swans (H)

Being in the lower half of the top six is not a place Kyabram is accustomed to finding itself at this stage of the season. But the Bombers will have two opportunities to test themselves against premiership contenders Echuca and Mansfield in the next three weeks. While a top-two finish looks unlikely, if Paul Newman’s side finds momentum anything could be possible as they chase back-to-back premierships.

Prediction: LWLW — 6th

Seymour finds itself in a battle for finals footy. Photo: Facebook.

SEYMOUR (8-0-6, 136.21%)

Last four: Mooroopna (A), Euroa (H), Tatura (H), Shepparton United (A)

After sitting at 1-5 after the first six rounds the Lions have stormed home to still sit in finals contention with four rounds to play. The Lions have won seven of their past eight and will need to win three or all four of their remaining games to make it. Seymour should beat Tatura and Shepparton United but need to beat either Mooroopna or Euroa, or win both, to make it. The equation might be too much for the Lions.

Prediction: LLWW — 7th

Rochester has the three Atley brothers on its books. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

ROCHESTER (8-0-6, 122.80%)

Last four: Tatura (A), Shepparton United (H), Shepparton Swans (A), Shepparton (H)

The Tigers’ destiny is in their own hands despite currently sitting outside the top six. That’s because they’ve got the easiest run home of any side in the competition. On paper, Rochy should comfortably take care of their four remaining opponents but as this season has shown us anything is possible. We’re backing them to get the job done.

Prediction: WWWW — 4th

SHEPPARTON SWANS (4-0-10, 73.24%)

Last four: Shepparton (H), Tatura (A), Rochester (H), Kyabram (A)

The Swans will be looking to build for next year and gain some pride along the way in the final month of 2022. The side faces the Bears this weekend, looking to avenge a five goal loss to them earlier this season on Anzac Day. The Swans should beat Tatura on the way home before having the chance to have an impact on the finals race with matches against Rochester and Kyabram. Two wins or more from the side would be a good way to end the season.

Prediction: WWLL — 8th

SHEPPARTON (4-0-10, 72.29%)

Last four: Shepparton Swans (A), Echuca (H), Benalla (H), Rochester (A)

It’s been a difficult season for the 2019 preliminary finalists, who were only a kick away from defending their premiership from a year earlier. Despite the challenges, the young guns coming through have the Bears in a good position. They’ll have two really good chances against the Swans and Benalla.

Prediction: LLWL — 9th

BENALLA (3-0-11, 38.51%)

Last four: Mansfield (H), Kyabram (A), Shepparton (A), Euroa (A)

Despite all of the challenges leading into the season, Benalla is able to hold its head high after 2022. Many expected they wouldn’t win a game after a mass player exodus just a couple of months out from the start of the season. They received a big boost recently when former AFL forward Jarrad Waite returned to the club. It doesn’t look like the team will add another win with three matches to come against top five opposition. A trip to Shepparton represents their best chance.

Prediction: LLLL — 10th

TATURA (2-0-12, 34.19%)

Last four: Rochester (H), Shepparton Swans (H), Seymour (A), Mansfield (H)

The 2019 finalists have endured a tough campaign and we can’t see it getting any easier over the last month. Their only wins have come against the sides directly above and below them on the ladder and it’s hard to see that changing.

Prediction: LLLL — 11th

SHEPPARTON UNITED (1-0-13, 48.61%)

Last four: Euroa (H), Rochester (A), Echuca (A), Seymour (H)

The Demons have the second toughest run home, facing top two sides, Echuca and Euroa, and also taking on Rochester and Seymour. The team has already struggled in recent weeks, losing their last three by more than 50 points. It’s hard to see the team winning another game to end the season.

Prediction: LLLL — 12th