GVL Data | The numbers behind the Goulburn Valley League grand final

Despite the final margin, Kyabram had the ascendancy at half-time.

With the scores level at quarter-time, the Bombers nudged ahead in the second to carry a five-point lead into the main break on the back of some good work out of the defensive 50.

Kyabram was quick to move the ball out of the back half of the ground in the second quarter, registering 14 rebound-50s to Echuca’s four, also winning out in overall pressure and spoils (10-3), repelling the Murray Bombers’ 17 inside-50s to Kyabram’s six.

But the weak point for Kyabram against the reigning premier has been its third quarters, and it was the case again at Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve.

Echuca piled on seven unanswered goals to Kyabram’s one in a blistering third-quarter performance, topping most statistical categories, including contested possessions (49-31), clearances (13-11) and inside-50s 17-13 for a return of 8.3 (51) to the Bombers 1.1 (7).

Kyabram went on to win the fourth quarter.

Still, the damage was already done, the third term the decisive factor in Echuca going back-to-back.

In defeat, the Bombers’ familiar faces loomed large in their gritty start to the clash.

Rhys Clark and Brad Whitford toiled hard in defence all day, with Whitford leading the disposal-getters for Kyabram with 29 for the day.

However, it was his eight contested possessions, six marks and total disposal efficiency of 83 per cent that Whitford arguably Kyabram’s best player of the day, rounding out another strong campaign for the reliable #17.

Clark also saved one of his better performances for the grand final.

He tallied 20 disposals, eight contested possessions and nine intercept possessions, forming a formidable backline defensive duo with Whitford and providing plenty of run and carry early in the contest.

The quality of Archie Watt was also on full display in the 17-year-old’s first senior GVL grand final.

Watt collected 17 disposals, seven marks, eight tackles and seven contested possessions in a measured performance, reconfirming his status as one to watch in the Bomber’s future premiership endeavours.

Anthony DePasquale will go down as Kyabram’s leading goal-scorer of the 2023 grand final with three, mirroring his haul from the preliminary final victory in what has been a strong campaign for the dynamic Bomber forward.

While Kyabram didn’t come away with the win and its first flag since 2019, the numbers show the ingredients are there for another tilt.

That’s a fact outgoing coach Paul Newman was keenly aware of, imploring the players to stick together in his final address.