mmg.com.au

Loretta Grant’s family should be supportive of her Goulburn Valley Football League tipping competition entry.

The Shepparton mother, 49, plans to spend the $10000 first prize on her children if successful.

‘‘I told my son (Chris) I had entered and he said ‘Mum, you have just wasted $25’,’’ Mrs Grant said.

‘‘I turn 50 in November, so it’s big year and to round it off with 10 grand, wouldn’t that be nice?’’

Chris, a former Shepparton Swans footballer studying teaching at La Trobe University in Bendigo, should take confidence from his mother’s AFL tipping last year.

Mrs Grant finished second in competitions among residents in her court and her work’s social club.

‘‘I don’t get too hopeful, otherwise it will burst my bubble,’’ she said.

Mrs Grant tipped the Swans’ cross-town rival Shepparton United to win this year’s GVFL premiership.

She said her tipping would support the clubs where her girlfriends’ sons play, such as Mooroopna, Shepparton, the Swans and United.

The Western Bulldogs fan — Chris is not named after the retired AFL champion of the same name — said a GVFL tipping competition was a good idea.

‘‘I follow local footy, anyway, but it’s another way to keep interested,’’ she said.

Entry into the Metricon $10000 Goulburn Valley Football League tipping competition costs $25, with second prize $1000 and third $500.

The News will run weekly leader updates to tell readers how close, or open, the competition is during the season.

Visit www.sheppnews.com.au and follow the links to register. Terms and conditions are also available online.