GVL football semi-final wrap - Echuca into preliminary final

The Benalla Showgrounds venue was buffeted by persistent rain for much of the contest, making the football a fiercely contested affair. Players threw themselves with gusto into the clash, but only the Murray Bombers were able to brush the mud from their shoulders and move forward in season 2019. It took until the final term for Echuca to do just that though, securing the 9.10 (64) to 5.8 (38) triumph thanks to some late majors. ‘‘It was a solid game, Rochy hung around, hung around, hung around — they were never out of the game,’’ Echuca co-coach Simon Maddox said. ‘‘I sort of thought we got on top in the last quarter, but it took until the last quarter to get on top, so credit to Rochy they played well and they were brave. ‘‘Our boys it probably wasn’t our best footy, but that’s what finals footy is all about and we got the win, that’s the main thing.’’ Among the better performers for the Murray Bombers were Luke McKenna, Peter Faulks, Kane Morris, Mitch Kemp, Cooper Barber (two goals) and Will Monahan, while Ruory Kirkby also managed two majors. ‘‘I thought ‘Pup’ McKenna was really good, he copped a knock in his calf last week so he was a bit proppy all week,’’ Maddox said. ‘‘He was great off the half-back flank and took a lot of intercept marks. ‘‘I thought Peter Faulks was good, he got a knock on his shoulder and played the game out, he was hampered so I thought he was really good. ‘‘I thought Will Monahan in the last quarter went on ball and really stiffened us up and got us first use of the ball in the last quarter, which was obviously going to be crucial in the conditions.’’ The Murray Bombers now return to the scene of last year’s exit — a preliminary final against Shepparton at Deakin Reserve. ‘‘The aim of the game is to win the premiership and the closer you get you just get more disappointed,’’ Maddox said. ‘‘We can’t really right the wrongs of last year until we get back to Deakin next week against Shepp and have a crack at it and we’ll leave no stone unturned. ‘‘We’ll leave nothing in the locker room and we’ll throw everything at it to try and get a grand final berth.’’ THE GAME Echuca 1.3, 5.4, 6.8, 9.10 (64) d Rochester 1.3, 3.6, 4.8, 5.8 (38) Goals Echuca: Ruory Kirkby, Cooper Barber 2, Kane Morris, Luke McKenna, Andrew Walker, Angus Byrne, Jack McHale. Rochester: Brodie Montague, Isaiah Miller, James McPhee, Rhys Free, Tim Letcher. Best Echuca: Luke McKenna, Cooper Barber, Andrew Walker, Kane Morris, Mitch Kemp, Angus Byrne. Rochester: James Gledhill, Jackson McEwen, Nathan McCarty, Nathan Marrone, Mitch Bright, Lachie Watson.