Echuca’s late show surges past Rochester in reserves

By Matthew Kappos and Alexander Dabb

Sep 22, 2024

It was ecstasy for Echuca, after the Murray Bombers surged late to claim the reserves premiership. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Echuca has added another premiership to it’s trophy case, grabbing the reserves premiership over rivals Rochester at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton.

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The Murray Bombers left it late to get the job done, but a seven-goal last-quarter blitz blew Rochy away and secured the title 13.11 (89) to 6.8 (44).

Corbin Anderson got fired up after kicking a crucial goal in Echuca’s reserves grand final win over Rochester. Photos: Aidan Briggs

Rochester brought the pressure early, and Echuca found life hard escaping defensive 50.

Dylan Cuttriss logged the first major of the afternoon with seven minutes gone, and Charlie Ward followed up to double the advantage for the Tigers.

Kobyn James opened the account for Echuca. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Kobyn James was first to put Echuca on the board after earning a free kick inside the goal square

The sides each added another major in the period, and Rochy went into the break a goal and changed on top 3.2 (20) to 2.0 (12).

The second period swung much more favourably towards Echuca, and the Murray Bombers took advantage of their defensive dominance and kick two for the quarter, while the Tigers were restricted to minor scores

Rochy was rolling near the end of the third Reed Hocking pulling them within three. Photo by Aidan Briggs

In fact, Echuca would have been disappointed to only lead by five at the break, given their dominance.

The teams traded majors in the early part of the fourth quarter, but as play began to break down, it was the Tigers who were coming out the better in the latter exchanges.

Echuca may have felt it had better opportunities, but it was Rochy who converted in the final minutes, securing a two-point lead at the final break.

Callum Parsons takes an impressive mark ahead of his Rochy opposite. Photo by Aidan Briggs

With 10 minutes gone in the fourth, a goalless term had tipped slightly in Echuca’s favour, as they levelled the behind count and the scores.

Callum Parsons made a breakthrough for Echuca from the edge of forward 50, splitting the middle with a wobbler to send Echuca back ahead by six points.

It was the first stone of what would become an avalanche for the Murray Bombers, as they stacked on another six goals in the period to grab the championship by 45 points.

Echuca put through 7.5 to Rochester’s 0.2 in the final term, cementing a huge reserves flag to go with the under-18’s they won this morning.

Fraser Brooks was loving it after kicking a major. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The final score betrays just how competitive the match was for three and a half quarters, but Murray Bombers showed too much class and poise when the title was on the line.

“It’s a fantastic feeling now, the work’s done and we can just celebrate. It’s been a great year but you just never know with twos footy, coming into finals who drops back from other teams and whatever,” said Echuca coach Troy Murphy.

“We’ve got a fantastic bunch of young men that just want to get better and better. They’re a credit to their parents, Their just great boys and they want to play footy which is a bonus for Echuca footy club.

Logan Orr distributes by hand. Photo by Aidan Briggs

“There’s probably 15 blokes there that could play senior footy with no worries at all, and that’s the key to the longevity of the footy club.

“It’s an honour to coach them and a total relief to get the job done.”

Tighe O’Brien was declared best on ground in the contest, and the best of the entire finals series.

Hudson Moyle fires long off the boot. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Murphy was keen to heap praise on as many of his players as possible after the win.

“The bloke I thought was outstanding was Will Poulton in the back pocket,” he said.

“We had good players (everywhere). Cal Parsons had a fantastic last quarter, Corbin Anderson just threw himself at the ball all day.

“All the boys were just great, especially in the last quarter.”

After being the sole flagless footy side for Echuca last season, the Murray Bomber’s reserves returned with a vengeance this year, capping off an undefeated year with the premiership.