Talented youngster Ryan Ash, son of three-time Bears premiership legend Stephen, is poised to play his first senior GVL grand final, the skilful 19-year-old proving an important piece of Shepparton’s run to its second decider in three seasons.
He’ll be hoping to join an illustrious family club in elevating himself to the status of a GV flag winner, but before his Bears running out onto the Deakin Reserve turf, his brother will first need to conduct an important piece of business.
Many remember the 2018 Goulburn Valley League grand final was a toss of the coin, and eight years later, one of Shepparton’s premiership stars from that game – as well as one of its finest exports - is returning to Deakin Reserve to toss the coin ahead of the 2026 edition.
GWS star Lachie Ash will conduct the coin flip ahead of the first bounce of the GVL decider between the Bears and Echuca, and his presence on one of country footy’s biggest days is fitting given his own history at the hallowed ground.
The dashing defender was a key member of Shepparton’s monumental upset of a Kyabram outfit that had not dropped a game in 62 starts, pipping the Bombers in one of all-time great deciders by two points.
For Ash, a GVL premiership winner at just 17 years of age, it was one of his memorable final few games at Deakin after he was taken by the Giants in the 2019 AFL National Draft.
That famous grand final indicated a star on the way to great things, and now 25, he returns to Shepparton with a bevy of AFL honours next to his name that proved that very expectation true.
He started the year with the E.J. Whitten Medal awarded to the State of Origin’s game’s best-on-ground Victorian, and a strong season in the orange charcoal saw Ash bestowed a coveted maiden All-Australian blazer.
Then, only two weeks ago, he claimed his first Kevin Sheedy Medal as the Giants club best-and-fairest.
Although a brief ceremony, the coin toss at what is often a swirly Deakin Reserve could prove vital in deciding early momentum, and kicking towards either the Skene or Harold St ends early looms as a large piece of the puzzle.
So, will the addition of the ex-premiership Bear bode well for Shepparton at the toss?
The first bounce of the 2026 Goulburn Valley League grand final is scheduled to take place at 2.30pm at Deakin Reserve.
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