GVL | Echuca delivers finals masterclass in Mansfield demolition

A seven-goal-to-one second term laid the platform for Echuca to run away to a 16.9 (105) to 6.5 (41) victory, and co-coach Simon Maddox praised the “team effort” behind the performance after last week’s shock defeat to Mooroopna.

“That was a really big win,” Maddox said.

“We were a little bit undermanned and missing a bit of experience, but we played to our game plan really well.

“That was the most pleasing part. It was a team effort, there were no passengers and everyone played their role.

“When we play that brand of footy, we’re really hard to beat.”

After a tight start, the Murray Bombers broke through with two goals in quick succession via Angus Byrne.

The Eagles backline was forced to work overtime as Echuca dominated the inside-50 count, and despite the poise of Jack Hutchins the Murray Bombers claimed healthy lead.

Echuca’s rebound 50s continued to cause headaches throughout the second quarter as Ben Reid and Logan Prout repelled any Eagles entries.

"Our process was good, defensively we were sound; we attacked on the basis of our defence,’’ Maddox said.

Cameron Arnold eventually broke the Eagles goal-drought and Jimmy Herridge fought hard in the midfield, but star Murray Bombers spearhead Ruory Kirkby and Angus Byrne continued to find the goals.

Mansfield booted five goals in a fourth-quarter resurgence, but it wouldn’t be enough to put a dent in the final margin as Echuca held onto its double chance.

Maddox was pleased with the performance with several experienced stars missing, including captain and number one ruck Kane Morris.

“It was a good win and everything fell into place,” Maddox said.

“Liam Tenace and Lachlan Watson rucked well in Kane’s absence, and he shoulders most of the load for us there. Those two boys were sensational.

“We were confident that we didn’t play anywhere near our best football at Mooroopna. You want to see that response and we hit back well.

“We talk about it a lot; when you get knocked down you get back up.”

Maddox said the clubs focus would now turn to a semi-final clash against Euroa, with the Magpies 51-point elimination final victory over Kyabram seeing the Bombers bow out of the race to defend their 2019 crown.

“The challenge for us is Euroa in seven days time,” he said.

“They’ve made a mess of Kyabram so they’re obviously in really good form. We respect them greatly, they have a really good list on paper.

“We’re going to have to be as good as Saturday if not better if we intend on getting a win next week. Our attention hasn’t gone any further than that.

“For us, the plan is just one week at a time. How far we can climb that ladder only time will tell.”

In the Thirds, Echuca continued its unbeaten run in a thrilling one-point victory over Shepparton United in the under-18 qualifying final.

Trailing by 17 points at three-quarter-time, the Murray Bombers booted four final term goals to run away with the last gasp win.

Echuca’s Fourth’s side were forced to weather a dramatic six-goal blitz from Shepparton Bears in their qualifying final, clinching a tight eight-point victory.