GVL Data | Echuca confident of blunting Bulldogs bite

By Josh Huntly

Jul 21, 2022

Echuca resumes its Goulburn Valley League campaign two games atop the ladder, and round 14 sees the Murray Bombers host the 11th-placed Tatura at Victoria Park.

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Echuca was 13.11 (89) to 6.7 (43) winners back in round six, and while the Murray Bombers would be tipped to take out the clash, they will be without prominent movers Jack McHale and Kane Morris.

McHale, averaging 25 disposals for the season and presenting as one of the Morrison Medal front-runners, was dealt a two-week suspension following the clash against Euroa.

Liam Tenace will look to cover Morris’ tap-work — 24.6 hitouts a game to be exact — against a side that struggled against Morris’s aerial abilities last start.

While two players out of the squad is hardly danger signs, the Bulldogs had plenty of bite in round six despite the 46-point loss.

That resistance came in a second quarter blitz.

After conceding four goals in the first quarter, Tatura would reverse the script in the second quarter with four of their own, winning the marking count by nine and improving their kicking efficiency out of sight.

The Bulldogs were also winners in the spoils by four on the back of a masterful defensive display from former AFL star Neville Jetta.

Jetta starred with 31 disposals, 14 contested possessions, and 10 rebound 50s, generating plenty of run off half-back, while Brad Ryan’s 28 disposals at 87 per cent efficiency was key.

Logan Prout provided a masterclass of his own out Echuca’s back six, with his 21 kicks coming at a typically lethal efficiency rate of 90 per cent.

From there, Echuca was permitted to slice open the Bulldogs midfield.

Echuca will look to emulate that second half against the Bulldogs earlier in the season, and with the Bulldogs coming off a midfield drubbing in their defeat to Benalla last week, it could be danger signs for Tatura.