Key Echuca players out for second bout with Euroa

“It should be a great game; obviously, it’s always a good clash against Euroa,” Echuca co-coach Sam Reid said.

“We had a solid hit-out (at Memorial Oval) last time, and they have some really dangerous players. We’ll have to be on our toes and playing at our best, but it should be a great afternoon.”

Echuca could be further depleted for the upcoming match, with a trio of senior players set to miss the Victoria Park shoot-out after sustaining injuries in last week’s 62-point win over Shepparton Swans.

Reid has been sidelined by a calf injury alongside ruckman Kane Morris (ankle) and key defender Curt Townrow (soreness).

“I was looking forward to this week, as was ‘Mogga’ (Kane Morris),” Reid said.

“Especially with the Past Players and Ladies Day, it’s a big occasion for the club. I’ll go and get a scan on Monday in Melbourne to assess the full extent and go from there. It would have been good to go head-to-head with Will Hayes as well.”

The Euroa midfielder has been dominant through the middle for the Pies in 2023, collecting 50 disposals in last week’s 13-point loss to Seymour, including 31 against Echuca in round eight.

However, despite the former Carlton player's dominance, Reid said the Murray Bombers wouldn’t compromise their game-plan to nullify the Morrison Medal frontrunner.

“He covers the ground so well, he gets on the end of chains going through the middle of the ground,” he said.

“We didn’t really go after him last time, and we got the win. We’ll be mindful of him, our midfield runs pretty deep, and we have some elite runners in our team. Whatever way we go, we won’t disrupt our structures.”

Jackson Stewart, Mitch Wales, and Cameron Valentine have been in good form for Echuca, while Euroa will lean on the services of Ryan Pendlebury, Jett Trotter and Jacob Gleeson.

Echuca finds itself on a four-game winning streak, while Euroa will be hoping for its first win at Victoria Park since 2018 to tune up for the finals, in pursuit of its first flag since 1990.

The first bounce at Victoria Park will take place at 2pm.