The Goulburn Murray Women’s football league has one undefeated team remaining following the completion of round five, and there’s no prizes for guessing who it is.
Reigning premier Echuca stands above the rest with a perfect 5-0 record after securing yet another crushing victory, defeating newcomers Rumbalara 12.12 (84) to 0 at Victoria Park on Sunday.
In their second meeting already this season, the Murray Bombers dominated from start to finish, recording eight scoring shots in the first term to lead 3.5 (23) at the first break.
The bottle greens found their radar in the second quarter, kicking 4.2 to lead by 49 points when the half-time siren sounded.
A further five goals in the second half saw Echuca cruise to its fifth successive win of the year, and fourth consecutive win in excess of 80 points.
Jorden Irvine was named Echuca’s best, and Katie Pollock was also influential, while Kate Dixon (two goals) and Lily Hillman (two goals) hit the scoreboard while earning nominations among the best.
Hendrika Kirchhofer again put together a solid performance, while co-skipper Jacquelyn James added two goals to the scoresheet while rounding out the best players.
Co-captain Paige Baksh finished with a team-high three goals, with Olivia Dewar, Sophie Douglas and Amy Lee Tatt all contributing one each.
The Murray Bombers sit a game clear atop the ladder at the end of round five, after 2023 grand finalists and close rival Nathalia was upset by Mansfield, going down by eight points.
Elsewhere, Shepparton United beat Barooga by 48 points, while Nagambie outlasted Tatura to claim victory by just two points.
Echuca will travel to Kialla Park Recreation Reserve for its round six match, with a Friday night game under lights against Shepparton United to get the round underway.
Goulburn Murray Girls League
Echcua United has claimed bragging rights over cross-border rival Moama in the Goulburn Murray Girls League, taking the victory 9.11 (65) to 4.1 (25) to remain unbeaten through five rounds.
The Eagles got off to a hot start, booting 4.3 while keeping the Magpies scoreless in the first term, while adding another three goals to one in the second quarter, to lead 48-6 at half-time.
The lead was extended again in the third quarter, with the Eagles slotting two goals to none to earn a game-high lead of 57 points at the final change.
A late fightback from Moama saw the Magpies kick three goals while keeping Echuca United to just a single point in the final term. However, the damage had been done, with the Eagles securing the win by 40 points.
Jerrah Caruso kicked a game-high four goals to finish as Echuca United’s best player, while Sage Dennis, Harper Delamare (one goal), Ruby McLeod (two goals), Maisy Byrne and Marli Hollamby (one goal) rounded out the best players.
Kailey Norton-Weis was also influential, booting a goal for the Eagles in the win.
For Moama, Mathilda Beggs battled hard as her side’s best, joined by Charlie Martin, Madeline Williams, Eliza Fraser (one goal), Bella Kendrick and Kaitlyn Davidson, who booted two goals as the only multiple goal-scorer for the Magpies. Katie Shanon kicked the remaining goal for Moama.
The win for Echuca United sets up a thrilling showdown with Shepparton United at Kialla Park Recreation Reserve on Sunday, with the two sides both unbeaten after five rounds, while Moama will host Nathalia at Moama Recreation Reserve as they look to regain some form.