Echuca keeps up winning streak over Euroa with dominant performance

By Alexander Dabb

Apr 28, 2024

Up and about: Echuca notched its fourth win from as many games with victory over Euroa at the weekend. Photo: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Echuca has navigated a tough two-week stretch following its early season bye with aplomb, running out a convincing 45-point winner over Euroa at Euroa’s Memorial Oval at the weekend.

The 11.13 (79) to 5.4 (34) victory continues the recent stretch of dominance the Murray Bombers have enjoyed over the Magpies, who are yet to register a win over Echuca in the Goulburn Valley League senior football competition since the COVID-19 interrupted 2021 season.

Saturday’s clash was a defensive masterclass from the reigning premier, which conceded one, eight and zero points in the first, second and fourth quarters respectively.

The Murray Bombers had opened up a 28-point lead by the first break after slamming through 4.5 in a commanding opening term, with Euroa able to register one behind.

At half-time the margin had grown to 39 points following another strong Echuca quarter and things were looking ominous for the Magpies, who were yet to reach double digits on the scoreboard, recording a total of nine points to the main break.

But the home side was not out of the contest just yet, with a withering display after the interval having the Magpies put through four unanswered goals in the third term to close within 16 points as the teams huddled at three-quarter time.

However, mighty teams find a way to respond when challenged and there are none mightier than Echuca.

Just as they had in the first half, the Murray Bombers found a way to pile on the goals, adding another 4.5 in the final term while keeping Euroa scoreless, to take a fourth win from as many games this season by a comfortable margin.

Solid contribution: Jack Evans (pictured during last year’s round 15 clash against Euroa) was influential against the Magpies, booting two goals as one of Echuca’s best. Photo: File Photo by Josh Huntly

Jack McHale was once again Echuca’s best, contributing two goals in the win, as did Jack Evans, who was also named among the most influential.

Big man Liam Tenace again impressed as the primary ruckman in the absence of skipper Kane Morris, while Curtis Townrow and Cooper Willoughby (one goal) were solid at opposite ends of the ground.

Jackson Stewart and Sam Willoughby made an impact on the scoreboard with two goals each, as did Tighe O’Brien and Mitch Wales, who both ended the day with one major.

Despite the win, Echuca has ensured there is somewhat of a trend appearing in its visits to Memorial Oval – in their past two games at the ground the Murray Bombers have been kept goalless in a quarter.

To put it in perspective, if you exclude the past two matches Echuca has played against Euroa at Euroa, the Murray Bombers have only been kept goalless three times in their previous 176 quarters of football.

It won’t worry the powers that be at Victoria Park in the slightest, with the side sitting pretty with a 4-0 record atop the ladder and is the heavy favourite to make it 5-0 when it takes on Rochester at home on Saturday.