Both have gone further then they did during the 2016 finals series.
Shepparton played a strong all-round game in dismantling Rochester in the first semi-final.
After a tight first half, the Bears showed why they finished second on the ladder and it was able to put the Tigers to the sword.
Fortunately for them, the Tigers couldn’t match them in the second half to allow them to record a comfortable win.
On the other hand, the Lions were competitive against the all-conquering Kyabram in the first half, but then struggled to go with the reigning premier.
The Lions are likely to have a few sore boys and there is no doubt that Jason Cole and Brett Meredith haven’t returned to their early season form.
Coach, Brent Colbert will be hoping his team can get off to a good start because during both finals they have been slow starters.
They definitely can’t give the Bears the early advantage by the way of a fast start.
If they do, it will be a case of how far Shepparton.
Dylan Scopel, Brent Ryan, Brandyn Grenfell, Jordan Hockley, Billy Cox and Benjamin Clifton were some of the team’s four quarter contributors in the loss to the Bombers.
If they can lead by example and the other players follow the lead, the Lions are more than capable of getting the win to advance them to the big dance.
Ruckman, Ashley Holland ensured midfielders Benjamin Davies and Nikolaus Rokahr got leather poisoning at Euroa last weekend.
The pair had a field day and Seymour will need to put some time into curbing their influence on the contest.
Youngster Harry Boyd played a really good defensive game while midfielder David Stretton was another strong contributor and up forward John Bradaric was the star with five goals while Luke Smith and James Wong also chipped in with some goals.
Last Modified on 22/09/2017 10:50