The Riv’s biggest sport stories of 2024: 3-1

In this edition, we will finish our rankings by naming our top three biggest sports stories of the year.

3: Local young guns drafted into AFL and AFLW

Three talented youngsters were drafted into the top flight of Australian rules football, with Moama’s Jobe Shanahan and Alexis Gregor and Leitchville-Gunbower’s James Barrat to all embark on professional journeys in 2025.

Shanahan was selected by the West Coast Eagles with the 30th pick in the AFL Draft and will be heading to Perth to partner with Tongala superstar Harley Reid and Echuca product Noah Long.

Speaking to the media at his first press conference as an Eagle, Shanahan indicated his willingness to do what it took to get on an AFL ground.

“I don’t really care where I play. I just want to play,” Shanahan said.

“I’ll play as a key back or a key forward, it doesn’t really bother me too much.

“I’ve had more experience in the forward line but last year at the Pioneers I played my best footy down back, so either-or, really.”

Barrat was selected just two picks later at 32 by St Kilda where he will also join a familiar face in best friend and Bendigo Pioneers teammate Tobie Travaglia, who was selected eighth by the Saints.

“It’s the best thing ever,” Barrat said of getting drafted.

“I had really good advice from my manager and from the Pioneers coach ... but I didn’t believe until it happened.

“I’ve never really been able to tell myself, no matter what happened or how good I was looking, that the draft was a chance.

“I just hoped for the best.”

Gregor had to wait until mid-December for her dream to come true. She was an AFLW Draft bolter who was originally projected to go in the 30s but surged all the way up to pick 10, where she was grabbed by Geelong.

Gregor was thrilled to hear her named called by the Cats and despite knowing she was a chance to end up in Geelong, didn’t realise she’d be the club’s first selection.

“It still doesn't feel real yet,” she said.

“It’s literally a dream come true, I’m so excited.

“I don't want to say it was surprising, but I wasn’t expecting to go that early.

“I knew the Cats were interested, but I doubted that I was going to be their first pick, so it was a lot, very overwhelming.”

The trio all played for the Bendigo Pioneers in 2024, which put them in good stead for the level of competition they will face at professional level.

2: A historic GVL grand final day for Echuca

Not only did Echuca’s senior side claim a history-making third title in a row on GVL grand final day but the under-18s and reserve grade sides left Deakin Reserve as champions as well.

Completing the clean sweep is never an easy task, but for the Murray Bombers, anything is truly possible.

Although, the eventual sweep was nearly lost before it even began because it took a herculean effort and a 32-point deficit erasure by the under-18s side to clinch its fifth title in a row.

Echuca managed to weather the early storm and went into half-time with a three-point lead.

Yet, when the Swans piled on 38 (6.2) points to three (0.3) in the third term it meant the Murray Bombers had a lot of ground to cover if they wanted their fifth title in as many years.

Miraculously, a combination of grit, skill and sheer force of will brought Echuca back into the contest, with a Tom Evans set shot getting the young guns over the line by a single point.

The final score was Echuca 12.9 (81) to Shepparton Swans 12.8 (80).

In the reserves it took just the first quarter to settle the score, with Echuca overrunning Rochester.

The Tigers managed to put up a fight in the first and third quarters, but it was their inconsistency that brought them undone.

Meanwhile, the Murray Bombers could not be denied, outscoring their opponents in every quarter to cruise to a convincing victory, 89 (13.11) to 44 (6.8).

The main event of grand final day was of course the match-up of the almost-invincible Echuca seniors against Shepparton Bears.

The Murray Bombers were hot favourites, having presented an almost flawless case during the entire 2024 season.

The scoreline certainly reflected this, with the men in green waving the Bears off the park, beating their opponents by a GVL grand final record 96 points, 154 (22.22) to 58 (9.4).

“If you had have said three years ago we would win three in a row, I would’ve said you’re dreaming. I mean, we hadn’t won one for 20 years,” Echuca co-coach Simon Maddox said of his senior side’s historic feat.

“They’re a great bunch of boys, they’ve all come out of our junior system, and that’s a credit to the club, credit to the coaches. It’s one big family.

“It doesn’t get any better, we’ve clocked the game.”

1: Olympic and Paralympic heroes go for gold in Paris

Three exceptional young athletes from the region travelled to Paris for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

James McQuillan and Col Pearse competed in the Paralympics and Simone Pearce took part in the Olympics.

Col Pearse, who earned himself bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the 200m individual medley SM10, went one better in Paris, claiming silver in the same event while just missing out on a podium position in the 100m butterfly S10, coming fourth.

Meanwhile, McQuillan took bronze as a member of the wheelchair rugby side representing Australia in Paris.

Australia defeated Great Britain 50-48 in the bronze medal match, avenging a loss in the opening group stage match.

Pearce competed as part of team Australia in the equestrian dressage in two events, Equestrian Dressage Mixed Individual and Equestrian Dressage Mixed Team.

Team Australia, comprised of Pearce, Jayden Brown, William Matthew and Mary Hanna, managed to make the team final but didn’t get on the podium, finishing 10th with a score of 207.203.

In her individual event, Pearce, riding her horse Destano, finished sixth in her group with a score of 70.171, which wasn’t enough to qualify for the final.

All three have done their country, and region, proud by wearing the green and gold on the biggest of sporting stages.

All three athletes will be eyeing another opportunity for greatness in 2028 at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics and Paralympics.