Up there Echuca: Angus Byrne (right) belts out the Murray Bombers theme song with Troy O’Brien following the Murray Bombers’ ‘02 flag win. Photo: Ray Sizer
Twenty years ago, a five-year-old Angus Byrne joined in jubilant celebrations at Deakin Reserve as father Ash and Echuca saluted the Goulburn Valley League premiership of 2002.
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Now 25, Angus will be hoping to emulate that feat and bring a flag home to Echuca when he lines up with the Murray Bombers to face Euroa in the 2022 decider, but he won’t be the only one from the family competing this Sunday at Deakin Reserve.
Young gun Hugh Byrne will be hoping to salute in the thirds decider, while in the under-15 netball grand final against Shepparton Swans, Maisy and Rose are looking to make it a successful day for the family.
The Byrnes form just one cross-section of the 48-strong family connections running around on-field and behind the scenes for Echuca on grand final day, and club president Ash Byrne said it was exciting to see four of his own take part.
“Without doubt it’s awesome,” Byrne said.
“It’s hard to believe that could happen but it is going to happen and we’re all really looking forward to it.”
Byrne, Echuca’s 2002 premiership coach, paid tribute to all the players who had come through the junior ranks to now push for success, including his son.
Back in time: Echuca president Ash Byrne back in his playing days. Photo: Shepparton News
“It’s been good watching (Angus) come through, he loves being around the footy club and those boys that he’s playing with on Sunday are good, close mates,” he said.
“It’s great to watch them all in action. It’s obviously disappointing that Mitch Kemp, Elliot Stewart and Jack McHale aren’t going to be playing out there with the rest of the boys; they’re as much a part of it.
“They’re just a great group of boys, as a club we’re really fortunate to have the calibre of people running around that we do.”
Angus, a member of the Murray Bombers’ 2019 runner-up team, echoed the sentiment of his father, admitting it was exciting to play with mates on the big stage.
“It’s special to be able to come home and play, I’ve lucked out big time,” he said.
“Echuca’s home, it’s where I love to play and to be back in a grand final is another box we get the opportunity to tick.
“After the semi-final we just sat around and took it all in, just a bunch of brothers hanging out.
“We’ve been building for five or six years, it’s just a great group of boys who go in to bat for one another.
“We’re all best mates, and that’s how it should be.”
Echuca will have six teams vying for premiership glory, including under-15 and 17 netball along with the thirds, fourths, reserves and senior football sides.
“We’re very fortunate, all the boys and girls have done a great job throughout the course of the year,” Byrne said.
“We’ve got six teams who are hopefully a good chance to go well on Sunday. It’s exciting for all of our players and club people.
A 12-page wrap of Echuca’s GVL grand final can be found inside today’s edition of the Riverine Herald.
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