Community responds to lost Dhurringile opportunity
By Deanne Jeffers
SCAN HERE OR GO TO THE ADVISER’S
THE community is still reeling from Greater Shepparton City Council’s decision to exit its Expression of Interest (EoI) from the Right of Refusal to purchase the former Dhurringile Prison site, citing costs as their main concern.
Despite the council-commissioned Urban Enterprises report indicating that the benefits outweigh the risks, councillors voted in a four-way split vote to abandon the opportunity.
Independent tourism body, Destination Goulburn Valley, were in the gallery for the debate and left after the vote expressing disappointment.
“We would have hoped that Council would have wanted to maintain a position at the negotiating table with the Victorian State Government
Australia
By Deanne Jeffers
AUSTRALIANS have voted and Prime Minister
Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party (ALP) will remain in government for a second consecutive term, becoming the first government since John Howard in 2004 to achieve back-toback victories.
The 2025 Australian Federal Election, held Saturday, May 3, resulted in a significant victory for the ALP, securing a significant majority in the House of Representatives. Labor won 85 of the 151 seats, well above the 76 needed to form a majority government.
At home in the seat of Nicholls, the Nationals' incumbent, Sam Birrell, was successfully re-elected.
Mr Birrell achieved a decisive win, achieving
as to the future of the site, particularly at this early stage in the State Government sale process,” said DGV Chair, Eugenie Stragolinos.
“There was no financial commitment required from Council at this time, just a commitment to do some further work as recommended by their own report.
"The report clearly stated that ‘further work is required to assess the feasibility of uses’, so it was surprising that management’s recommendations were to cease all further work – a recommendation in complete contrast to the independent consultant’s work. Why waste ratepayers’ money in commissioning a report that you then ignore?”
Votes: Second term for Birrell and Prime Minister Albanese
45,057 votes 48 per cent of the vote, with a 23.7 per cent swing towards him, reinforcing the seat's status as a Nationals' stronghold.
His closest competitor was Labor's Kim Travers with 22,181 votes (23.6 per cent).
A notable outcome of was the defeat of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in his seat of Dickson, to Labor's Ali France. It's the first time an opposition leader has been unseated in 125 years of federal elections.
With the Coalition unable to form government, delivery on some of the projects promised for Nicholls during the election campaign will be difficult to deliver on. However, Mr Birrell has said he would make every effort to advocate for these projects.
"It was a bad night for the Coalition but the National Party did well overall," said Mr Birrell. "It is disappointing to not be able to form government this time, and to lose some really good colleagues as well."
Mr Birrell said it would be difficult to deliver on promises made during the election campaign with the Coalition unable to form government. He said "The Coalition invests more in regional programs and it will be impossible to guarantee delivery of all the projects but I'll continue to advocate for them. Once I know who the right Ministers are in the Labor Government, I will be using all of my influence and relationships to explain just how important they are."
Is your child ready for
BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT... Community members are expressing disappointment with the loss of Dhurringile Prison. Photo: Deanne Jeffers
WEBSITE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
BUSINESS SKILLS AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGIONAL ARTISTS
A two-day professional development day for regional artists will be held at The Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) on Saturday–Sunday, May 17-18. The event will feature panel discussions and workshops to address key areas of concern for artists including accounting, copyright, communication, installing artwork and applying for grants. Presenters include artist Beci Orpin, Evan Lowenstein (Lowenstein Arts Management), and Amelia Kingston (Regional Arts Victoria). Ahead of the Art as Business program, a free networking event will be held on Friday, May 16 at La Trobe University’s Shepparton Campus, open to all. The event will include a panel discussion featuring leaders from the regional arts sector.
For tickets and to find out more head to: sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/events
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR FLOOD AFFECTED TOWNS
The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments are continuing to support Victorian communities affected by the 2022 flood and storm events with further disaster recovery funding to improve infrastructure.
Four councils will share in $1.8M from the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements including Greater Shepparton City Council.
This betterment funding allows councils to upgrade disaster-damaged roads, bridges, footpaths and drains to a higher standard –protecting them from future damage caused by serious weather events.
“Recovery is a long road, and we will always make sure these communities get the ongoing support they need to get back on track,” said Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes.
COMMUNITY CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL
GV Hospice will hold its Annual Community Candlelight Memorial Event on Wednesday, May 14, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on the lake foreshore, at the amphitheatre behind SAM. To remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones lost over the past 12 months.
All members of the community are invited to light a candle and write a message for those they wish to remember. In line with Council requirements battery operated candles will be supplied, as will materials to write a message of remembrance.
Nigel Parsons will perform and Alexander McKinnon from Goulburn Valley Brass and Drums will play the bagpipes. The Lion’s Club Mooroopna will provide a free barbecue, and a coffee van will be available along with complimentary bottles of water.
“We hope to have many people come and spend time with other members of the community to remember and celebrate their loved ones,” said GV Hospice CEO Wendy Ross.
MASSIVE PLANT NURSERY OPENS
More than 5,500 people came through the gates over Easter weekend for the opening of Shepparton Plant Farm, located on Archer Road at the former Gardens on Archer site. The nursery has been revitalised by Echuca Moama Plant Farm (EM Plants), offering over 30,000 plants, at affordable prices and grown locally so acclimatised to local conditions. The familyowned business is open seven days a week and offers free delivery locally. Find them online at sheppartonplantfarm.com.au or visit them at 535 Archer Rd, Kialla, for all your gardening needs.
FREE CLOTHES EVENT
Wilmot Road Primary School Hub will hold its
fourth Annual Free Clothes Event on Thursday and Friday, June 26 and 27, at the school gym between 9am and 3pm.
Everyone is welcome, with no limit on what you can take, and people are encouraged to come back multiple times over the two days.
“Last year we had 206 people through the doors over the two days. This year I’m hoping to beat that number. So, spread the word, bring a friend and I hope to see you there!” said Hub Leader Sarah Pearson.
From today until Friday, June 13 people can donate clean, rip, stain,
A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENT... including workshops will be presented by SAM on May 17-18 to provide practical knowledge and key support to local artists. Photo: Supplied
Hub Leader Sarah Pearson Photo: Aaron Cordy
Become a kinder teacher or educator. Financial support of up to $34,000 available.
The Victorian Government is delivering Free Kinder. And that means thousands of new jobs across the state. Financial support to help you study and Free TAFE courses are available.
Learn more at vic.gov.au/kinder
Stay safe, feel confident:
Self-defence classes for everyone
TACTICAL Self Defence is empowering locals of all ages and abilities to take control of their personal safety through practical, accessible training. Run by Mark and Louise Stevens, classes are designed not for profit, but with a purpose: to help people stay safe and confident in everyday situations.
Classes are capped at just 10 people to ensure personalised attention and are tailored to suit any level of fitness or experience. From teenager to seniors –the youngest student is 13, and the oldest is 71, everyone is welcome. The program follows the Integrated Combat System (ICS), focusing on real-world tactics like knife defence, hand-to-hand combat, weapon awareness and situational reading.
“We charge just $10 a session, with the first class free. That goes toward insurance, so this is about community safety, not money,” said Mark. “We focus on de-escalation and minimal, effective defence techniques that don’t rely on brute strength and can be applied in a range of real-world situations.”
Held in a relaxed, family-friendly environment, classes run every Tuesday from 6–7.30pm, with a women-only session every second Thursday. After training, participants are welcome to stay for a chat and a drink. Private sessions can also be arranged on request.
Find Tactical Self Defence at 40 Sanderson Street, Shepparton or call 0418 253 418 for more information.
Antique mega sale
Albury Antiques Shepparton closing its doors in two weeks
AUSTRALIA’S largest Antique showroom is sadly closing its doors and leaving Shepparton, with just two weeks to grab an exquisite piece to transform your home.
Albury Antiques Shepparton is holding a Mega Sale with 70 per cent off store wide before it closes its doors permanently. Owner Royston wants to make sure no one misses out on a treasured antique or three before the doors close for good.
Albury Antiques Shepparton is stocked with an impressive range of English, German, French and early Australian antiques. This magnificent
range is brimming with treasures waiting to be discovered. But hurry, with prices slashed by 70 per cent, you don’t want to miss out.
With plenty of parking out the back, off Sturt Street, and delivers to anyone in Australia, there’s no better time to pick up that coveted piece and transform the feel of your home.
Find Albury Antiques Shepparton at 159-165 High Street, Shepparton, Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4.30pm. Email alburyantiques@ gmail.com, visit www.alburyantiques.com or call Royston on 0424 688 744.
MEGA SALE... Albury Antiques Shepparton is holding a Mega Sale with 70 per cent off store wide before it closes its doors permanently. Owner Royston wants to make sure no one misses out on a treasured antique like the antique rickshaw pictured with Royston, which is valued at $7500 and is now an incredible $999. Photo: Aaron Cordy
Deanne Jeffers
Get more for your metal during May
CUSTOMERS can get more dollars for their oversized steel throughout May with a boosted buy-back rate at Future Recycling in Shepparton.
The depot is offering $300 per tonne for oversized steel delivered to their site, or $250 per tonne for pickups (minimum of three
tonnes applies).
Future Recycling Shepparton branch manager, Daniel Thewma, said oversized steel is defined as steel that is thicker than 5mm and made entirely of steel.
“This offer is ideal for industrial businesses, farms, or even households with surplus
metal,” Mr Thewma said. “We’re always in need of steel and can offer highly competitive commodity rates to our customers.”
If you’ve got scrap metal, Future Recycling is ready to tailor a solution to suit your needs.
CASH FOR SCRAP... Future Recycling, a family-owned Victorian business committed to constant innovation, has increased its buy-back rate on oversized steel this month. Get more dollars when you recycle your scrap oversized steel with Future Recycling. Pictured at the
depot are
and
Visit the best scrap yard in Shepp at 121-135 Old Dookie Road, Shepparton or call them on 5821 7876 to learn more. You can also find Future Recycling on social media and online: futurerecycling.com.au
Craft, cook, construct: Makers Mile caters to all kinds of creators
By Deanne Jeffers
AN exciting opportunity for businesses is coming to 16-18
Industrial Drive, Shepparton. Makers Mile is a new standout business precinct and warehousing development catering to a broad range of businesses, from creatives to tradies, enabling them to start or grow their business.
The project is led by Melbourne-based developer Uno Projex and constructed by Rossiter Constructions, offering purposebuilt spaces currently for sale through Gagliardi Scott Real Estate.
Gagliardi Scott Real Estate Director Rocky Gagliardi said Uno Projex founder Olivia Ross envisioned a dynamic, purpose-built space designed to help local businesses make their mark.
“She was enthusiastic from the moment she saw the site, and once she secured it, began developing a plan that’s refreshingly different from the norm,” he said.
Starting from $135,000, the first release of versatile light industrial spaces is selling now.
The development consists of 37 flexible units ranging from 40m2 to 511m2. The site caters to a diverse tenant base from various sectors, suited to trade businesses looking to expand and professional service providers looking for a central office space or business headquarters.
“These spaces are designed for people who’ve worked hard to build their business, who’ve spent years honing their craft, and
who are passionate about what they do,” Mr Gagliardi said.
“It could be retail, a small bakery, a food shop, or even an office where you could have a solicitor’s, a lawyer’s or an accountant’s firm in there.”
Locals are invited to learn more about Makers Mile at its on-site launch and barbecue on Friday, May 16, 11.30am-1.30pm. Here you can meet the developers and learn more about the opportunities in store.
FUNCTIONAL
SPACES... Gagliardi
Scott Real Estate
Director Rocky Gagliardi said the new Makers Mile development is an exciting, never-seen-before business precinct for Shepparton, catering to a diverse range of businesses in various sectors.
“This is a unique development for Shepparton that has been carefully planned to meet local demand and the desires of the community,” Mr Gagliardi said. “My personal belief is that Makers Miles sets a different mark for future developments in Shepparton.”
A completion date has been set for early 2026 and some sites have already sold. Visit makers-mile.com.au to learn more or to register for the open day on May 16 at 16-18 Industrial Drive.
Photo: Deanne Jeffers
Shepparton
Mick Argentino, James Legge,
Daniel Thewma. Photo: Deanne Jeffers
Emergency plan for multicultural community
EMERGENCY preparedness is important for everyone in the Greater Shepparton communities with the land prone to flood, fires and heavy storms. Having a plan and understanding where to go and who can help is vital, it is even more vital for new Australians, or community members with a language barrier that prevents them from knowing where to turn in an emergency.
Resilience in Recovery with the Ethnic Council for Shepparton and Districts (EC) hosted two community sessions for the local Iraqi and Afghani communities in the Arabic and Hazaragi languages, as part of the 72-Hour Preparedness Survey. The aim is to have the brochure and plan available in Dari, Hazaragi, Swahili, Dinka and Arabic.
To help understand the best sources of help for any emergency, the crowd heard presentations from SES, Council and the Victorian Police, translated into Arabic by EC Community Manager Khaluf Alaikum.
“We're pleased to see the number of people come from the community today to learn about emergency services in Australia, and more importantly, how to be prepared for emergencies in Australia. In Shepparton, there's a flood risk, but lots of other risks as well. So having access to the right information in Arabic language is critical for these members of our community to be able to stay safe,” said SES Community Resilience Coordinator Liz Frazer.
"We look forward to continuing community conversations alongside our emergency service agencies, on the first 72 hours, to increase the resilience of our communities to the impacts of emergency
EMERGENCY READY... Resilience in Recovery with the Ethnic Council for Shepparton and Districts hosted two community sessions for the local Iraqi and Afghani communities in the Arabic and Hazaragi languages, as part of the 72-Hour Preparedness Survey. From left Ethnic Council Community Manager Khaluf Alaikum and SES Community Resilience Coordinator Liz Frazer. Photo: Aaron Cordy.
events. There is growing pressure on the emergency sector's resources, therefore the preparedness of communities and individuals is becoming increasingly important," Emergency Management & Resilience Manager at GSCC Belinda Conna.
To learn more information about 72-Hours Emergency Preparedness in any language email recovery@shepparton.vic. gov.au or call (03) 58329700 and Follow Resilience in Recovery on Facebook.
Foodshare’s purpose-built facility officially opened
THE opening comes off the back of lobbying by local agencies and community members, with nearly $3M from the State Labor Government and the ultra-generous donation of land from Angela and Jim Andreadis, without whom the project would have never gotten underway.
“To have now a permanent, secure base for Foodshares operation, will support them to go from strength to strength,” said Ms Symes.
“I understand, since 2012, Foodshare has distributed more than 4M kilos of food to obviously, the registered emergency agencies, schools, neighbourhood houses, community meals, programs and our faith organisations.”
The new site has more warehousing space, along with new offices and a meeting room, a new commercial kitchen to maximise food
usage and minimise waste. Cooling and freezer rooms have doubled in size compared with the previous site, allowing access by forklifts to reduce manual handling processes.
Reflecting upon the purpose of SFS, Jeremy Rensford spoke passionately about what it means to Greater Shepparton and why it is so important.
“It's not our board, it's not our council, it's not our governments. It's the kid that's hungry,” said Mr Rensford.
“Think about that. It's a kid that's hungry, and he or she is the most important person in this organisation. That's why we're all here to make sure he or she or their parents or whoever that's hungry is able to have food put in their belly. And I hope that we will never get away from remembering that. If I'm here, we're doing that.”
Pictured is Foodshare Board Chair Jeremy Rensford and Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes, unveiling the new plaque. Photo: Aaron Cordy
It will be a true crime if you don’t visit the library
TRUE CRIME... One of Australia’s most prolific true crime writers, Roy
will share his insights into writing true crime at the Shepparton Library on Thursday, May 8, at 6.30pm. Roy is a Wadawurrung and Yorta Yorta man, with 18 books and over a million published words under his belt. Photo: Supplied
Roy Maloy author talk at the Shepparton Library
HAVE you ever wanted to delve into the seedy underbelly of Australian crime?
The Shepparton Library will host an entertaining evening with one of Australia’s most prolific true crime writers, Roy Maloy on Thursday, May 8, at 6.30pm.
A proud Wadawurrung and Yorta Yorta man, Roy is a best-selling true crime author
with 18 books and over a million published words under his belt will regale the audience with humorous, dramatic and thoughtprovoking tales from his research and published books, followed by information for those interested in researching true crime themselves.
Roy’s published works focus on
LETTERS Letters to the Editor
THE CONSERVATIVE LIE
Dear Editor,
BEFORE the election, The Shepparton Adviser published my letter calling out the historic conservative lie that they are the better economic managers. Now, former Liberal Senator, Hollie Hughes, has given some explicit support to my analysis. “We have no economic policy to sell,” she told ABC radio.
But perhaps the best assessment of current economic management credentials was this statement, not from
biographies of 1890’s-1930’s Australian criminals. His books include Squizzy, a biography of the iconic criminal Squizzy Taylor, while his most recent publications are Black Widow – Women Who Kill and The Crutchie Push, a biography of one of Australia's most notorious gangs.
If you would like to meet Roy and hear
tales of murder and mayhem, join him at Shepparton Library on Thursday, May 8 at 6.30pm. You can book online via www. gvlibraries.com.au/events or by calling the library on 1300 374 765, or email shepparton@gvlibraries.com.au.
We welcome Letters to the Editor but they are not guaranteed to be included and may be edited for reasons of style or content. Letters will not be eligible for consideration if they contain defamatory material, or information of a personal nature which is not in the public domain.
some radical left lunatic (to borrow a Trumpian), but from Anthony Miller, the CEO of Westpac.
“The certainty that the Labor party has provided over the last couple of years in government, and now re-elected, is an incredibly powerful outcome and a very positive one for the country…. It puts us in a very good position globally to attract capital and talent to this country. And so I think consistency and certainty and just getting things done methodically, as opposed to boldly going in different and new directions, is something to be thoughtful about.”
Hopefully, we might one day lay to rest the conservative lie forever.
Yours sincerely, Dr Dennis Dodd, Shepparton
Want to have your say?
Email your letters to the editor to editorial@sheppartonadviser.com.au
Please keep letters to under 200 words.
Community Emergency Management Planning
Maloy,
LOCAL SHOPPING... Shop in local stores this Mother’s Day and enter Greater Shepparton City Council’s competition and you might win a $100 voucher. The campaign runs until Sunday, May 11, encouraging shoppers to spend $50 or more at any small business within Greater Shepparton on a gift for Mum or that special mother figure. Photo: Supplied
GREATER Shepparton City Council is giving residents another reason to shop local this Mother’s Day, with the launch of a community-wide competition rewarding shoppers with the chance to WIN one of five $100 shop local vouchers.
The campaign runs from Monday, April 28 to Sunday, May 11, encouraging shoppers to spend $50 or more at any small business within the Greater Shepparton Local Government Area on a gift for Mum or that special mother figure.
To enter, customers simply upload a copy of their receipt and complete the short online entry form.
The campaign aims to showcase the diversity and quality of local businesses within the region, while celebrating the important people in our lives during one of the biggest gift-giving occasions of the year. From handmade gifts to pamper packs and dining experiences, the region is full of thoughtful, personal options.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the initiative is a
win for both the community and local economy.
“Shopping local keeps money circulating in our community, supports local jobs and builds strong connections,” he said. “This campaign encourages people to support Greater Shepparton’s small businesses during a time when many of us are looking to give something special to the people who matter most.”
Council’s Place Manager, Bonnie McIntosh, said the campaign also highlights the value of choosing local first.
“Whether it is a relaxing spa day, a picnic in the park or a one-of-a-kind handmade item, we have it all right here in Greater Shepparton. This campaign is about celebrating what’s on our doorstep and making shopping local part of the way we honour our loved ones,” she said. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 years or older. Both in-store and online purchases are accepted. The competition closes at 11.59pm on May 11, with winners to be drawn and contacted on Wednesday, May 14. For more information, full terms and conditions, and to enter the competition, visit https://shepp.city/shopwin
AT $1,799
With a minimum $50 transaction you go into the draw to win a pair of earrings valued at $1,799. One entry per person. Exclusive to Prouds Shepparton. Grand draw will be in-store on 10/5/2025
Greater Shepparton City Council invite you to attend the
AWARDS 2025
Saturday, 10 May 2025 2pm Ceremony (arrival from 1.30pm)
GV Hotel Shepparton, 223 High Street, Shepparton
RSVP by Thursday, 8 May 2025
Email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 5832 9730
April After 5: La Trobe hosts local businesses for networking event
MORE than 50 people from the Greater Shepparton business community attended April After 5, the monthly networking event organised by Greater Shepparton Business Network (GSBN).
La Trobe University hosted April's event, providing professionals with an opportunity to explore the renovated facilities at the Shepparton campus.
spaces designed to foster collaboration between the University, industry groups and community. For details of the next Networking After 5 event, become a GSBN member or follow Greater Shepparton Business Network on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
“Our cultural heritage is about more than maintaining buildings. It’s about conserving our unique identity, ensuring our children can learn about their history and helping us build from the past to make a better future for all.”
In association with Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee www.greatershepparton.com.au
These networking events offer a perfect chance to unwind and connect with fellow business owners, exchange ideas, and expand professional networks in a welcoming and informal atmosphere. Each month, a different GSBN member hosts the event, offering a unique insight into their business and creating a platform for meaningful conversations.
April After 5 brought together business professionals and businesses to celebrate the important investment into La Trobe Shepparton. The event showcased the new facilities, including dedicated research and industry
Luke Dixon and Kelvin Maude from Kevin Hicks Real Estate, and Craig Potter from Next Office Tech.
Neha Samar from headspace Shepparton and Mark DePaola from Graham Hill Eyecare. Photos: Emma Harrop
THINGS WE LEARNT: BULLDOGS ARE MORE THAN A THREAT IN 2025
JAIDEN SCIBERRAS/SEN
ROUND 8 has come and gone, and what a round of football it was.
From underwhelming prime time fixtures to one of the best games of the year, this weekend’s fixtures were a treat for the neutral.
See what caught our eye below:
Prime time slots call for highprofile games
The AFL’s fixturing in Round 8 left a lot to be desired.
Weekday contests are cherished by fans all over the country. This year’s decision to feature a Thursday night contest each week was welcomed with open arms, providing an element of anticipation to the back end of the working week.
Excluding the fans of those involved, Round 8’s Thursday and Friday night clashes were not quite up to the standard that fans have come to expect from stand-alone fixtures.
While the Essendon and North Melbourne contest developed to hold a thrilling final term, the quality of contest was relatively average, with the Bombers’ home game amassing just over 35,000 fans, significantly lower than their yearly average.
As for Friday night’s contest… the less said, the better.
With two derbies, Collingwood versus Geelong, Adelaide versus Carlton and a range of upper echelon
contests on the fixture for the weekend, plenty will be disappointed with the selection of prime-time games this week.
Every team deserves the opportunity to feature in the desirable time slot, however with the AFL’s ongoing concerns of attendance and viewership for weeknight fixtures, it’s safe to say Fremantle versus St Kilda was not the answer.
The Bulldogs aren’t just in good form…
Talk about an annihilation.
The Western Bulldogs delivered one of the top performances of the season, smashing Port Adelaide by 90 points in windy Ballarat.
Since the return of Marcus Bontempelli, the Bulldogs have been unstoppable. Three wins by an average margin of 64 points against sides that will push the eight and beyond, the competition has officially been put on notice.
While the Dogs’ list is more than competent in all areas of the ground, their stacked midfield has received all the plaudits, as expected and as deserved.
Accumulating 49 clearances against Port Adelaide, the Dogs now rank second in the competition for average clearances per game with 42.8, with an average of over 49 per game over their last three games.
Reminder: Bontempelli has played
just three games, Adam Treloar just one.
The side has also averaged 124 points per game over their last three, in the absence of Sam Darcy, Cody Weightman and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The Western Bulldogs are more than a threat in 2025.
Collingwood versus Geelong could be the best matchup on the AFL calendar
When was the last time this contest disappointed?
Collingwood hosted Geelong in what could comfortably be considered the best game of the season thus far.
Multiple comebacks, storylines from all angles, and one kick from a fairy tale ending for Jack Crisp, the Saturday night game had everything you’d hope for and more (umpiring excluded).
Over their last seven contests, dating back to Round 11 of 2021, the largest margin between these two sides is just 22 points, with an average winning margin of under two goals.
Saturday night’s game was absolutely no exception, as the Cats held on to win by just three points following Collingwood’s milestone man missing right at the siren.
It’s safe to say every neutral fan will pray that these two sides line up to face one another when September rolls around.
The Bridge belongs to Sydney
Even in extremely poor form, the Swans will find a way to knock off the Giants.
Sydney have been a shell of their 2024 selves, winning just two of their first seven contests with a number of senior players watching on from the sidelines.
Last week, their major capitulation against the Suns highlighted their incredibly disappointing form and inability to compete with the competition’s best.
However, when the Derby rolls around, the Swans flip the switch.
Sydney waltzed into the SCG and took down one of the AFL’s biggest threats in GWS, claiming the contest by 14 points to maintain authority over their young enemy.
The Giants failed to lead at any stage throughout the game, and despite the numbers suggesting an incredibly tight game, the Swans were in control from start to finish.
Now claiming five derbies in a row and seven of the last 10, the Swans well and truly own their home state.
It’s a big week for Justin Longmuir
Fremantle have been entirely underwhelming this season.
Off the back of their collapse to miss the finals last season, the Dockers entered 2025 with expectations of a deep September run.
A list to be desired, Fremantle should be upon the top shelf of AFL teams, and yet they are far from it. Friday night’s horror contest against the Saints was as bad a performance as any team has put up in recent history.
Just 33 points scored, finishing -28 in clearances against one of the competition’s worst clearance teams, -93 in disposals, -27 in inside 50’s and failing to lead at any stage, Fremantle’s game was inexcusable.
With Andy Brayshaw in Brownlow form, Josh Treacy emerging as a top forward, the likes of Shai Bolton, Caleb Serong and an abundance of strong talent across the board, a game like that requires a deeper investigation.
At four wins from eight games, a lot requires change in the West, and if it doesn’t happen fast, Justin Longmuir’s already burning hot seat may be vacant in the coming weeks.
Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats marks the ball during the AFL Round 8 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the MCG. Photo: SCOTT BARBOUR/AAP IMAGE
Bright future for SYCUCC as Princess Park upgrade receives the green light
By Aaron Cordy
THE Princess Park, home of the Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club (SYCUCC) and Shepparton Swans, is set to become one of the premier sporting pavilions with Council awarding a contract to Moretto Building to design and construct new facilities.
The upgrade has been in the planning for nearly 15 years, with SYCUCC President Steven Nash at the forefront of the upgrade for many years, which became far more pressing after the October 2022 floods.
“We've gone from what is our future? To what can our future be?” said Steven.
“I’ve been on this for 15 years. When my son was playing junior cricket here, we were talking about this. They did the master plan, a good seven, nine years ago, where they and master plan doesn't happen overnight.
“It's nice that Council's gone beyond seeing it as a risk. Flooding, it's a risk, you know, therefore it's a liability.”
It has been a tough few years for SYCUCC with poor facilities meaning they were training and playing at other grounds. With the new facilities expected to be completed by August next year, the excitement is already beginning to build at SYCUCC
“I feel like we can start to build momentum as a club now. We know what we can strive for, and it's only one more season of temporary facilities for
I feel like we can start to build momentum as a club now. We know what we can strive for, and it’s only one more season of temporary facilities for our events
our events,” said SSYCUCC Committee Member Mel Saunders.
The contract for $4,894,970 will see a new pavilion constructed at Princess Park, raised to prevent future flood damage and will include change rooms/trainers rooms and amenities that meet both AFL, Netball
have a future, and you can start thinking and dreaming about it. What can we be as a club? So, that's the
other real positive as well,” said Steven. “We can start recruiting, you can come to our club. We're only in these rooms for one year, and then we're going to have the best rooms in Shepp. That's going to help as well for both men's and women's cricket.”
Victoria and Cricket Victoria requirements, a large social room with commercial kitchen and glass frontage views over the oval, umpires facilities and a 3m wide undercover veranda area. “We
PRINCESS PARK... Princess Park, home of the Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club and Shepparton Swans, is set to become one of the premier sporting pavilions with Council awarding a contract to Moretto Building to design and construct new facilities. SYCUCC Committee Members Chris Barclay and Mel Saunders, and President Steven Nash. Photo: Aaron Cordy
