Echuca ecstasy: Brothers Sam and Ben reid embrace after Echuca defeated Euroa in the Goulburn Valley League grand final. Photo: Steve Huntley
Echuca’s back was against the wall. After leading all day against Euroa in the GVL grand final, an incredible run of four goals from the Magpies saw them surge to take the lead.
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The Murray Bombers needed a comeback, and that is exactly what they delivered. Three goals in the space of seven minutes powered them back into the lead and ultimately delivered them a flag.
They were the seven minutes that saved Echuca’s season. They were the seven minutes of heaven.
It started when Euroa’s Nathan Stewart goaled to give the Magpies the lead at the 14-minute mark of the fourth term.
Euroa had all the momentum up to that point, but Echuca would snatch it back and turn the game again, and the stats show just how they did it.
The Bottle Greens had just two inside 50s in the first 14 minutes of the quarter while Euroa had plenty of possession in their attacking half.
But Echuca then piled on a mammoth seven inside 50s to the Magpies’ one, converting three crucial goals.
Turnovers played a big part too — Euroa coughed up the ball five times, while Echuca gave away the Sherrin only once.
The Murray Bombers had five more kicks and outmarked the Magpies seven to five — including three vital intercept marks.
Curtis Townrow took the first, resulting in a direct re-entry into the attacking arc that increased the pressure on Euroa’s backline.
The second was taken by Liam Tenace, and it had a huge impact. His ensuing kick was marked by Kane Morris, who then booted Echuca’s second of the term that put the lead back out to seven points.
The final intercept mark was just as key. Cam Valentine rose to take a mark in the backline — one of nine he had on the day — repelling Euroa’s lone foray into their attacking 50 during that vital seven-minute spell for Echuca.
With everything on the line, Echuca rose to the occasion when it needed to most. Seven minutes of pressure, inside 50s, key marks and, vitally, three goals, carried the club to premiership glory.
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