But unlike the final round of the regular season last week, this time around there will be no second chance for the vanquished outfit.
Mooroopna Recreation Reserve will play host to the elimination final battle under lights tomorrow night and the Bears are looking forward to the chance to put their best foot forward as they attempt to defend their premiership crown.
And despite not playing with a yellow Sherrin since round three, Troy King's charges are not at all fazed by the bright lights of Mooroopna Main Oval.
"We've played a few night games this year anyway," Shepparton coach King said.
"And (to be honest) it's a final — it wouldn't matter if we had to play it out in the car park, we'll play anywhere."
The Bears claimed a four-point win last week, but will not take too much out of that result.
"It's like a new competition now," King said.
"Last week doesn't (matter) either way, we start from scratch again now.
"Our last three or four weeks have probably been treated as must-win games, they've been good challenges, we've been ripping in and crashing in and then gone on to the next one.
"We have to give our best again because if we lose, that's it.
"We're all excited and raring to go, we know what to expect from finals, the intensity goes up a notch and we're really looking forward to it, we can't wait."
Rhys O'Sullivan, Orien Kerr and Joel Brett (three goals) stood out for the Bears last week, while Sean Martin, Andrew Ciavarella, Brad Ryan (four goals) and Mitch Elliott (15 tackles) impressed for the Bulldogs.
"Last week I think we played well in patches," Tatura coach Jamason Daniels said.
"The wind was a big influence up one end of the ground and we probably didn't use that well enough early in the game.
"But it was still a close game, hopefully we can bounce back and get the job done.
"Brad's a real handful, it's been a positive move putting him up forward (even though) it was through a number of injuries that we had to shuffle things around.
"Sean Martin has been incredible in his finish to the year and Colby McDonald has really stepped up too.
"The mids are starting to get their games going too and Mitch Elliott had 15 tackles last week."
Daniels is also expecting a bumper crowd tomorrow night to watch his troops tackle the Bears.
"With no AFL on and under lights hopefully we can get a really big crowd," he said.
"It should be a good day too, so hopefully the dew stays away and we get a good, clean game."
9°C