Echuca slams Benalla to keep hot streak alive

Logan Prout led the way with an eye-popping 31 disposals, 15 contested possessions and 15 marks, supported by Corbin Anderson and Will Monahan with three goals each.

Benalla found itself under siege down back for most of the game despite the best efforts of David Mennen and Chris Welch, but it was the back half of Echuca that drew the praise of co-coach Sam Reid.

“They had a couple of dangerous forwards including (Josh) Mellington, who Curt (Townrow) was all over,” Reid said.

“Logan Prout, Curt, Cam Valentine, they all did their job intercept marking everything. Jack McHale’s getting back to his best and Riley Smith had a fair bit of the ball.”

While Josh Marchbank won the aerial battle for the Saints in the middle, Echuca’s avenues to goal again totalled in the double digits with 12 individual goal-kickers.

The win helps Echuca retain its position on top of the ladder, but hot on its tail is Seymour, who also has six wins on the board to start the year.

The Murray Bombers and Lions meet in round 10 in what shapes as a highly-anticipated match-up at Kings Park, but before that Echuca will need to navigate a stern four-game test after facing Shepparton United post-bye.

“We’re looking forward to after the break. We’ve got a couple of the better teams, but we’ve put ourselves in a pretty good position,” Reid said.

“The challenge is the more physical teams coming up in Seymour, Euroa, Mansfield, Kyabram again, all those games we’re looking forward to to see where we’re at.”

The GVL has a league-wide bye as the interleague teams tackles Ovens and Murray Football Netball League at Albury Showgrounds this Saturday.