Echuca under-18’s complete miracle comeback to claim fifth flag in a row

By Oliver Shedden

Sep 22, 2024

Echuca’s under-18s celebrate as Tom Evans ices the game with a goal. Photos: Aidan Briggs. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Despite trailing by as much as 32 points with only a quarter remaining, the Murray Bombers rallied late to rip the flag away from Shepparton Swans on Sunday.

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It was a heart-in-mouth contest between the two sides as Echuca’s under-18s attempted to claim their fifth premiership in a row at Deakin Reserve.

The fledgling Murray Bombers started hot, with Cody Mann opening their account inside the first minute.

The Bloods weren’t going to let that get to them, though. Flynn Grumley slotted one for his side a minute later.

Fredo McMahon medallist Jaxson McMinn hunts the ball. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Swans’ Patrick Kennedy kicked a long bomb from outside 50 to give the Bloods an early lead.

AFL Vic Country Medal for best-on-ground in the grand final Sam Bicknell converted a penalty to give the Swans some distance.

Murray Bombers captain Makai Cronin snapped one from the pocket to bring Echuca within eight at quarter time.

Darby Jones plucks it. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Bicknell got another one off early, allowing the Bloods to increase their lead to 15, but not before Cody Walker’s brilliance again tempered the Swans.

It appeared the Murray Bombers had weathered an early Shepparton storm and now were turning momentum in their favour.

A few scoring chances went begging, with Echuca settling for minors, but Luke Oellerman converted a Swans penalty on the stroke of halftime to give his side the lead. 5.0 (30) to 4.3 (27).

Echuca’s post game celebration. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Yet, the Bloods saw red in the third, playing aggressively and dominating the contest.

Flynn Grumley and Sam Bicknell mounted a quick-fire Swans one-two punch to gift their side their nine-point lead back early in an extended third term.

Echuca seemed to lose its spark in the third quarter, and its attacking efforts did not bear fruit while the Swans continued turning strong defence into attack.

Cody Walker was superb in the contest. Photo by Aidan Briggs

A couple more stellar offensive efforts from the Swans ballooned their lead out to 27, with ruckman Jett Bruton slotting a beauty before being stretchered off with an apparent ankle injury.

The Murray Bombers remained goalless throughout the third quarter, and their players had to settle for minors on set shots.

After a mammoth 36-minute third quarter, both sides looked gassed; the Murray Bomber boys, now trailing by 32, looked all but defeated.

Luke Oellermann slots one. Photo by Aidan Briggs

But never count out a champion.

Whatever magical spell the Murray Bomber coaches Curtis Townrow and Andrew Thompson cast at three-quarter time powered the boys in green to a dominant final stretch.

After a lacklustre third term, Echuca had their tail up down the stretch, keeping the game’s play in their forward fifty.

The ruckmen battled in the air. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Quick thinking and good teamwork saw Charlie O’Toole open for an easy six, and not a minute later, Tom Evans joined the fun for Echuca, sending one sailing through the middle for a major.

Freddo McMahon medallist for best on ground judged by the media Jaxson McMinn snapped one for the Murray Bombers to shrink the Swans’ lead to 10.

Echuca’s captain, Malakai Cronin, stood up when his team needed it the most and delivered a lovely shot on goal for six more to bring the Murray Bombers within striking distance of another under-18’s flag.

Jed Dargan grabs a mark. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Tom Evans was gifted the opportunity to put Echuca in front late off a set shot but couldn’t get it to go, only to be given another opportunity a minute later. This time, he wouldn’t miss.

Evans’ hero moment gave the Murray Bombers a narrow lead before a couple of Swans’ minors made Echuca’s margin just one.

And that was all she wrote.

Echuca’s players congratulate Jaxson McMinn. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Pulling themselves back from the brink of a massive grand final upset, the under-18’s Murray Bombers etched themselves into the history books with a high-drama solitary-point victory.

The final score was Echuca 12.9 (81) to Shepparton Swans 12.8 (80).

Tom Evans, Jaxson McMinn, Jai Milligan, Cody Mann and Jed Dargan were named Echuca’s best.

Darby Jones between defenders. Photo by Aidan Briggs

McMinn said he was honoured to receive the Fredo McMahon Medal for his efforts in the grand final but pointed to the team win as his priority.

“It’s a nice honour to receive, but ultimately, it was a team win, which was more important,” he said.

“We are wrapped to get the win; it’s really good.”

Echuca claim the under-18’s premiership. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Echuca’s assistant coach, Andrew Thompson, was thrilled with how his side performed and said Echuca’s game discipline and never-say-die attitude got them over the line.

“Shepp Swans are an incredibly polished side and brought their best against us today, but to our boy’s credit, we just didn’t give up,” he said.

“We kept pushing and pushing until the end and stuck to the game plan, and that’s what got us over the line.”