GVL | Echuca is GVL’s top dog with resounding win over Euroa

With the trip to Memorial Oval presenting as its toughest test of the season, Echuca was on the ball from the outset, piling on the first five goals to set up a convincing 16.6 (102) to 5.10 (40) victory.

A result that further enhances their status as premiership favourites, Murray Bombers co-coach Simon Maddox said he was incredibly proud of the fight his team showed over the four quarters.

“The scoreboard paints a picture but I think the game was a fair bit different to what that final score suggests,” Maddox said.

“We got off to a fast start and then it was a real arm wrestle for two-and-a-half quarters before we broke it open again towards the end.

“Both sides had a red hot crack at it and it was pleasing to see our boys rise to that challenge and win in the manner we did.”

Greeted with perfect conditions, Echuca came out of the blocks with a point to prove, embracing the hostile conditions to put together a scintillating first quarter.

Led by co-coach Andrew Walker and hard-nut Jack McHale through the midfield, the Murray Bombers’ classy delivery inside forward-50 gave spearhead Ruory Kirkby numerous chances to capitalise; the big forward saluted with two early goals.

Maddox said the start was a key focus for his team coming into the game.

“We made a real effort of starting well, over recent weeks we had been a little bit slow to start, so coming here it was a real emphasis for us,” he said.

“We wanted to set the tone early and I thought we did that with some really solid football, credit to Euroa for hitting back hard and making things hard in that second and third quarter.

“But to get off to a good start really helped and was probably the difference in the game in the end.”

With their backs well and truly against the wall at the first change, the Magpies managed to wrestle back the momentum in the second term, evening up around the contest and getting the ball inside 50 to challenge the Murray Bombers’ defence.

But inaccurate kicking would plague Euroa’s chances of getting back into the game on the scoreboard, heading into the main break 28 points adrift.

It would be a similar story for the Magpies in the third quarter, who despite having control of the game for long periods, couldn’t capitalise in front of the sticks as Echuca punished them on the counter attack.

But a goal on the three-quarter time siren by Tristan Davies would keep the door slightly ajar for Euroa heading into the final term, with the margin precariously placed at 27 points.

This is where the class of Echuca would once again shine through, as it rediscovered its attacking flow to break the game open with six unanswered goals to secure the 62-point win.

Sporting a number of winners across the ground, Maddox took the chance to highlight one of his younger players who played a vital role in the win.

“I thought Bailey Gray did a fantastic job on Jett (Trotter), Bailey is just an unheralded back pocket and with Reid, Prout and Valentine often getting the accolades, he is crucial to our back line,” he said.

“He had a selfless job to do, didn’t worry about possessions and got it done which was very impressive for a guy with 20 games’ experience.”

Euroa’s first loss since round two, which was fittingly another hefty defeat to the Murray Bombers, coach Scott Rowan said his team learnt a lot about itself as it looks ahead to a third meeting with Echuca in the finals series.

“Our start was really what cost us with their ability to apply pressure, we were anticipating it but were probably a bit reactive which saw them get that run on,” Rowan said.

“We certainly didn’t play our best footy and they played really well, but there were periods where we did match them and that gives us a bit of confidence if we were to meet them again in the finals that we are capable of winning.

“We’ll learn a lot from today, reassess and set ourselves up for the second half of the year.”