Echuca dominant in lower grades, earns grand final places

By Matthew Kappos

Sep 8, 2024

Echuca celebrates one of 17 goals in a dominant performance over Seymour in the reserves. Photos: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Echuca has logged another impressive round of Goulburn Valley League finals action, with three lower-grade sides punching their ticket to grand final day along with the seniors and A-graders.

Bailey Gray makes a strong grab amid plenty of Seymour attention. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Reserves

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The Murray Bombers recorded a 96-point demolition of Seymour in the reserves, booking their spot in the grand final with style.

The Lions were helpless to respond to the force of Echuca, who never looked back from a 32-0 first-quarter blitz, taking the game 17.13 (115) to 2.7 (19).

Corbin Anderson and Samuel Edgar were in scintillating scoring form, kicking four goals apiece for the Murray Bombers.

Either Rochester or a rematch with the Lions will be the task on the final day.

Fraser Brooks makes tracks. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Under-18s

In the thirds, Echuca is also grand final bound after getting past Shepparton Swans 11.8 (74) to 9.11 (65).

The Swans were up for the challenge against an impressive Murray Bombers outfit, and won each of the last two quarters narrowly, but Echuca sneaked ahead in the second and matched Shepparton the rest of the way to win by nine points.

Luke Stone led the scoring with four goals for Echuca, while Makai Cronin and Darby Jones each kicked three.

An all Shepparton preliminary final, Bears vs Swans, will determine who challenges the Murray Bombers in the grand final.

Alexander Elliott latches onto an impressive mark. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Netball

Under-17

The Murray Bombers’ under-17 netballers saw their season ended on Sunday, going down to Shepparton Bears 39-52.

The Bears earned a slight edge in the first quarter, but pushed on to increase their lead throughout the contest, resulting in an ultimately comfortable victory.

Joe Guiney has eyes downfield. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Under-15

Echuca advanced to the final day, defeating Mansfield 42-37 in the second semi-final.

The Eagles hung tough throughout, responding to the Murray Bombers’ half-time advantage to level proceedings going into the final quarter, but Echuca proved too strong down the stretch, prevailing by five goals.

Shepparton Bears or a rematch with Mansfield are the possible grand final match-ups for Echuca.