The Murray Bombers hold the top spot in a number of statistical categories across the league, as would be expected of the ladder-leading side.
You can’t score without the football in your possession, and Echuca has had no issues getting hands on the ball, averaging 334 disposals a game, which is 13 more than second-ranked Kyabram, and nearly 30 more than the Swans (306.7) who rank seventh.
They’re also getting first use, with an average of 48 clearances per game, again the best in the league, while the Swans rank a 10th, with an average of 29.7 clearances per outing.
With 58.3 inside-50s per game for 19 marks, Echuca has the league’s highest figures in this category, no doubt contributing to the big scores they have been able to post.
The Swans average more than 20 fewer ventures inside the attacking arc with 37.7 per game, for an average of nine marks.
The Swans lead the competition for pressure acts, with 53.3 placing them as the only team that averages more than 50 a game, while Echuca fails to rank inside the top 10.
That is not to say that Echuca cannot apply pressure, however, as it is the second-ranked side for tackles per game (64), while the Swans rank ninth (50.7).
The Murray Bombers also outrank the Swans in contested possessions (second versus sixth), hard-ball gets (third versus 10th), contested marks (third versus fifth) and intercept marks (second versus eighth).
Upsets happen in football, however the statistics suggest it will be an uphill battle for the Swans at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Head-to-head
2023 season averages
Echuca
334 disposals
136.3 contested possessions
48 clearances
39 hard-ball gets
58.3 inside-50s
19 marks inside 50
64 tackles
13.7 contested marks
16.3 intercept marks
Shepparton Swans
306.7 disposals
120.3 contested possessions
29.7 clearances
25.7 hard-ball gets
37.7 inside-50s
9 marks inside 50
50.7 tackles
12 contested marks
10.7 intercept marks
