The Murray Bombers welcome a Magpies side smarting from a shock first-up loss to Mansfield, while Echuca is coming off a crushing 52-point win over Rochester.
But Echuca will have at least two forced changes from last week’s squad, with Sam Reid sent in for shoulder surgery on Thursday and defender Cam Valentine sent for scans on a troublesome foot.
Andrew Walker could also join the two on the sidelines as a potential out with family commitments.
It leaves several holes in Echuca’s line-up, but co-coach Simon Maddox is confident the club’s depth can cover them.
“There’s plenty of blokes putting their hands up for spots,” Maddox said.
“We’ve got a strong reserves side and a strong 18s side.
“Bailey Grey has had a fantastic pre-season, he’s in line for senior selection. He played seniors in all practice games and in years gone by.
“Same with Jackson Stewart, he’s a regular senior player.
“Aaron Lonergan has played a couple hundred games of senior footy, he played reserves last week.
“You’ve got kids in the thirds like Corbin Anderson, Cooper Willoughby — those guys will be in line to come up.
“What the make-up will look like we’ll work out at training.”
Maddox said Reid was facing an extended stint on the sidelines.
“It will be an extended period of time,” Maddox said.
“It’s likely to be mid-year we get him back. It’s not season-ending (surgery) by any means.”
Euroa is one of just two clubs who managed to defeat Echuca in 2021, walking away with a 16-point win over the minor premier in round 11.
An ill-disciplined fourth quarter proved costly for Euroa in round one, and Maddox is expecting another physical encounter at Vic Park.
“They are pitted as one of the premiership favourites,” he said.
“I’m sure it doesn’t sit well with them to have a first-up loss on their home deck.
“Obviously, we’ve got a couple out, and (Euroa) coming off an unexpected loss. I’m expecting a red-hot contest.
“They are quite big-bodied, they move the ball well, they’ve got a host of good players. It’s hard to pinpoint one or two players that could be the difference for them.
“We’ll just worry about our own backyard. We know if we play well, particularly on our home deck, we’ll be hard to beat.”
On the netball court, Echuca’s A-grade side will be looking for its second win of the season when it hosts Euroa.
The Magpies are coming off a strong win over Mansfield, while Echuca eased into last week’s game against Rochester to claim a first-up win.
Echuca (third) vs Euroa (ninth)
Victoria Park
Saturday, April 16, at 2.35pm
22°C