Gallery | Echuca clinch Goulburn Murray Junior League under-14 division one premiership in extra-time epic

The Murray Bombers emerged 3.6 (24) to 2.6 (18) victors in an epic, overturning a season’s worth of narrative to topple the benchmark Cats and stitch another flag into the club’s winning tapestry.

A cagey first term ended 3-1 Mooroopna’s way, with neither side offering much in attack but the Cats looking slightly sharper in the clinches.

When Mooroopna slotted the game’s first major a minute into the second quarter, it looked as though the Cats might build scoreboard pressure.

Instead, Echuca went bang.

A clever handball from Sam McCleary to the onrushing Max Potter brought the Murray Bombers level, Potter launching from the tip of the arc with shedloads of conviction.

By the long break, the scoreboard read 10 apiece — the grand final still perfectly balanced.

Early into the third exchange, Echuca’s Arli Walker picked out Marlon Micalizzi with a pinpoint kick, and the key tall didn’t flinch, converting to send his side ahead.

The heavens soon opened, and the greasy deck brought skill errors - though Mooroopna steadied when a 50 metre penalty gifted Harper Williams a chance.

And if there’s such a thing as ice in the veins at under-14 level, Williams showed it, nailing the set shot under immense pressure.

By three-quarter-time, the ledger was locked at 16-16, meaning the final quarter was all about survival footy.

Mooroopna owned territory for the first 10 minutes, hemming Echuca in but failing to fashion a clean shot at goal.

Then, as Echuca pushed back late, they too were thwarted and when the siren blared, the scoreboard still hadn’t budged — extra time beckoned.

The first added period provided the flashpoint.

Mooroopna’s Kobe Freer launched what looked a match-winner from 45 metres, the ball arrowing towards the line before Echuca’s Lochy Field lunged to get fingertips on it.

Seconds later, the Murray Bombers surged coast-to-coast and though a fumble looked to have wasted the chance, McCleary pounced on the loose ball and snapped the defining goal of the contest.

From there, Echuca simply refused to be moved and all was said and done, Echuca laid claim to the flag with Potter named best afield.

Coach Andrew Walker was beaming afterwards in his post match address, not just with pride in the result, but in the spectacle.

“How bloody good is that for country football, seeing a junior game into overtime between two really strong sides?” he said.

“(Mooroopna) was the pinnacle this year and gave us a real touch-up throughout the season.

“We were looking forward to this battle because the way they play is very similar to what we’ve tried to instil with our boys — hard at the footy, playing as one team.

“Today could’ve gone either way. We were just lucky to get over the line.”

For Walker, the bigger picture is even brighter.

“What a great bunch of boys. They’ve developed week in, week out, and it’s all led to this day,” he said.

“We’re endlessly proud of what they’ve done — and the Echuca seniors should feel very fortunate about what’s coming through this junior football club.”