One is Kyabram, the other is Echuca.
The Murray Bombers have enjoyed a recent reign of power across the past three or so years, while Kyabram held a half-decade stranglehold on the competition which heralded three premierships across four seasons.
Victoria Park welcomes the two powerhouses as they engage in battle this Saturday, and what’s worth examining is how the two sides fare in the scoring department.
Echuca’s total goal count of 187 is clear of Kyabram’s by 23 — they take up number one and two spots respectively — and when factoring in behinds, the Murray Bombers hold the edge 291-283 in scoring shots.
A trident of Bottle Greens (Will Monahan, Sam Reid and Corbin Anderson) are featured on the league’s top 10 list of the most prolific forwards for 2023, while the Bombers have one name on the sheet with in-form star Kyle Mueller.
It’s clear Kyabram likes to share the load when it comes to splitting the big sticks, but how efficient are Paul Newman’s men in entering the danger zone?
The best in the comp, according to statistics.
Competition rankings
Forward-50 entries
Kyabram: First (62.9%)
Echuca: Third (58%)
Inside-50s
Kyabram: Second (580)
Echuca: First (626)
Clearances
Kyabram: Fourth (438)
Echuca: Second (460)
Intercept marks
Kyabram: First (239)
Echuca: Second (195)
Total ground-ball gets
Kyabram: Eighth (882)
Echuca: First (1039)
Kyabram’s 41.9 per cent forward-50 entry potency has it well clear of its upcoming opposition by more than three per cent, and it’s like splitting hairs when comparing the pair’s marks-inside-50 count.
However, Echuca’s pressure inside the offensive arc is second-to-none.
The Murray Bombers have laid 166 forward-50 tackles this season, leaving a bit to be desired for Kyabram, ranked fifth with 108.
Echuca is clearly king when it comes to putting the clamps on, but who goes top of the ladder after this weekend is likely to be decided by one factor.
The Murray Bombers recorded three less scoring shots when they last played Kyabram in round two, but still managed to come away 13.5 (83) to 8.14 (62) victors.
It’s simple — who converts their chances wins.