Independent candidate Suzanna Sheed was on Saturday night on the verge of a boilover election victory in the rural seat of Shepparton, while Labor was set to make a surprise gain in Morwell.

The high profile family lawyer was neck-and-neck on primary votes with Nationals candidate Greg Barr, a former Shepparton police officer who stepped in following the retirement of long-serving Nationals MP Jeanette Powell.

Indepedent candidate Suzanna Sheed. Credit:Facebook

The independent ran for election under the slogan "Stand Up Shepparton, it's our turn".

The 60-year-old said she was unprepared to claim victory on Saturday night but was "very excited" by the prospect of taking the seat from the Nationals after 47 years.