Echuca barrelled its way to back-to-back premierships with an emphatic second-half display on Sunday at Deakin Reserve, leaving Kyabram in the dust.
The affair was anything but straightforward for the first half, however, with the two sides deadlocked at the first change and separated by less than a kick at the main break.
The Murray Bombers emerged from the rooms looking much more like their typically dominant selves, putting the contest to bed with an incredible third-quarter showing of might.
So how did Echuca make overpowering a side with Kyabram’s credentials look so simple?
The third-quarter thumping
Marks inside 50: 7-1
Kicking efficiency: 71% - 49%
Rebound-50s: 11-8
Tackles inside defensive 50: 9-3
Scores from marks inside 50: 6.0 (36) - 1.0 (6)
Echuca had Kyabram against the wall from the opening minute of the term, converting their first attacking foray to take the lead within moments and never looking back from there.
For the rest of the term, however, the Murray Bombers’ approach to forward entries was decidedly more measured.
This is emphasised by the astonishing six goals from marks inside the arc in a single term, from seven total inside 50 for the quarter to just one at the other end.
Hugh Byrne’s two grabs would turn into majors, and with draft season due to kick into full swing, a breakout performance could not have come at a better time for the youngster.
Echuca’s defensive pressure deserves the same recognition as the uncanny target-spotting around the goals, creating turnovers galore as Kyabram would register less than one in two kicks finding their destination.
Logan Prout would stand above the rest with six contested possessions and five intercepts for the quarter, validated up forward with four score involvements.
Despite the mass opportunities up forward, the ability to win the rebound-50 stat in this period is a testament to the total control Echuca exercised for so much of the year.
The Murray Bombers ranked comfortably last in this category (25.1 per game) across the GVL this season because, frankly, their level of output up the ground limited the need to generate chances from the back six.
Kyabram was left unable to contain the onslaught, with star defenders Lach Smith and Jason Morgan present but potentially underdone before a facial injury to Rhys Clark compounded its misery.
Dominant ball-winner Sam Reid could have been a touch unlucky in Wilf Cox Medal polling, driving a monstrous midfield charge with game-highs in disposals (29, equal-first), clearances (12) and goal involvements (seven).
Reid also registered the most of any player in the third term across all three categories to help take the game away from a formidable Kyabram midfield.
Ever-present in the upper echelon this season, both on the scoreboard and across the stats, very few could lay a hand on Echuca as individuals or as a collective, much less for four quarters.
Their wrecking-ball status was most assured on the back of an awe-inspiring destruction of the Bombers after half-time at Deakin Reserve, and although anything can happen at the big dance, the data all season pointed towards one clear victor throughout the campaign.
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