Who will hoist the McMahon Shield?

By Oliver Shedden

Mar 6, 2025

Grand final captains Rochester’s Angus Martin and Echuca’s Simon Maddox are ready to rumble. Photo: Jordan Townrow. Photo by Jordan Townrow

After an action-packed season of wickets, runs and catches, only two sides remain. So, the question is... who will take home the glory?

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The decider of the 2024-25 McMahon Shield will be contested between Rochester and Echuca, who have been the two best sides in the competition this season.

Once again, the title match will be held on neutral turf, this time at Bamawm Recreation Reserve, with the first ball to be bowled at noon on Saturday, March 8.

It will be the seventh and final two-day match for the season and the last two-day contest in the GMC after a recent vote to move all matches to a one-day format starting next season.

Both sides have fared well in two-day games, with Rochester having a perfect 3-0 record, while Echuca has also won three but lost one to Ky Fire Brigade in round 13.

The two sides have only faced off once this season in a night game at Rochester Recreation Reserve, a match-up that Echuca won comfortably.

Echuca captain Simon Maddox outlined his side’s biggest focuses for the grand final following a tough battle with Moama in the semi-final.

“The match against Moama was a solid test for us and we are in a good place for the grand final this weekend,” he said.

“Making sure we field well is a big focus, that’ll set the standard, then bowl to our plans and bat out our overs. If we can do those three things, we’ll put ourselves in a great position.

“We have 11 A-grade cricketers. Some of the other sides fall off a bit in their last few spots, but we have a solid team and we’ve been there before.

“When the pressure and heat is on, we like to think we know how to handle it, but you never know. We have belief that we can get ourselves out of most situations.

“We all enjoy playing cricket with each other and have belief in each other’s ability. We definitely believe we can win.”

Maddox then went on to give Rochester its flowers for the season and acknowledged the threat it posed for his side winning a fourth straight title.

“We have the utmost respect for Rochester, they have a great side and finished on top of the ladder for a reason,” he said.

“If they click well, they will be dangerous. They have so much talent in their side and aren’t just relying on two or three players to carry them.

“They bat deep and have a lot of bowling options, but we will be looking to get our own backyard right, that is for sure.”

Rochester captain Angus Martin highlighted his side’s cohesiveness and tendency for all of his players to rise to the occasion.

“We don’t have to rely on anyone in particular, everyone steps up when we need them to, which is great for us,” he said.

“We are a cohesive team and work together every week. All of us are capable, we just need to make those starts and go on to big scores.

“A big hundred or a big score really sets the tone in a grand final and can win the game for either team.”

Martin looked ahead to Rochester’s opponent and highlighted the challenge of playing Echuca in the final, as well as analysing the state of Bamawm Recreation Reserve as the ideal ground for a grand final.

“They are a great side and have won the last three grand finals, so they will be a tough opponent, but they managed to get themselves out of trouble against Moama,” he said.

“I think it will just be about managing them because they have a strong batting line-up so, hopefully, we can keep them in check.

“Bamawm is a good deck so it’ll be pretty similar for both teams with a nice outfield, so it should make for a good game and a great end to the season.”