GVL preview - Echuca looks to go one better

By Andrew Johnston

Mar 12, 2021

FAST FACTS - JOINED LEAGUE: 1909 TO 1942, 1974 NICKNAME: MURRAY BOMBERS GROUND: VICTORIA PARK CO-COACHES: ANDREW WALKER AND SIMON MADDOX PRESIDENT: ASH BYRNE PREMIERSHIPS: 1977, 1979, 2001, 2002 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: S. EISHOLD (1995 JOINT), S. ORR (1997), C. SHOLL (2001), R. ARCHARD (2003 JOINT), C. DURIE (2006), K. HEIGHT (2010), S. BUCKLEY (2016–17) 2019 FINISH: RUNNER-UP (18–4) 2019 BEST AND FAIREST: ANDREW WALKER 2019 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: DANIEL WILLIS (42)

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For a year, footballers have been waiting to get back on the field.

For Echuca, it has felt so much longer.

The last time the Murray Bombers took the field in a Goulburn Valley League match was the 2019 grand final, a loss to Kyabram.

And while the fire burns for all clubs to resume their season, no-one is waiting more than Echuca to avenge its loss.

“If you spoke to some of our guys who played in that game, who were on the ground crying at the end after losing, I think they could tell you how much it still hurts,” co-coach Simon Maddox said.

“We’ve had a year off and that has energised a lot of people, but those things don’t go away easily. But they do motivate you and they will motivate this group even more for this season.”

Echuca will again look within its own backyard this season, replacing a number of Melbourne-based players with locals, as well as preparing to reap the benefits of an under-18 side that looked all but certain to claim a third straight premiership in the abandoned season.

“Those young guys who went through the under-18s, they’re now 19, 20, 21 years old, they’ve grown in size and developed as players,” Maddox said.

“They’re great young players and we know they will add a lot to our team in the next few years, and we can’t wait to see what they contribute to the senior side now.”

Maddox said while he and co-coach Andrew Walker had their plans and game style, his group had been quick to give its input when needed.

“They all want to win, so if they have an idea they are quick to put their hand up,” he said.

“You love to see that enthusiasm from all our players. And when you have a guy come back to the club like Ben Reid, a local who people look up to, who then gives his input and what he has learned, it’s a big deal.

“We want to get the best out of our players, they want to get the best out of themselves and it shows.”

Echuca has made it clear — it wants to be there at the pointy end of the season, playing off for the grand final once again.

But, as Maddox will tell you, it’s not just about what one team will do.

“A senior premiership would be a great outcome,” he said.

“But we want this group to go above that. We want grand finals and premierships in every grade, we want to be the champion club of the competition.

“This is about the whole Echuca Football Club and delivering success to our club and our town.”

PLAYER CHANGES

IN: Aaron Lonergan (Palmertson), Logan Prout (Leitchville-Gunbower), Liam Tenace (Monash Blues), Ben Fulford (Echuca United), Liam Guinan (Echuca United), Ben Reid (St Joseph's), Lincoln Sieben (Leitchville-Gunbower).

OUT: Tim Allan (Murrumbeena), Riley Clarke (Strathfieldsaye) Darby Henderson (Grovedale), Ned Lanyon (Yarraville Seddon), Fraser Verhey (Moama), Dan Willis (club unknown), Brock Kennedy (Moama).

GAME CHANGER — BEN REID: Returning to the Murray Bombers for the new season, the VFL-hardened Reid has the ability to be the best defender in the GVL. Reid’s ability to intercept and control across half-back will also take pressure off Cam Valentine, who has been Echuca’s best defender for a while. Reid’s addition could make for the best one-two punch in the competition.

FINISHING RANGE — 1An all or nothing year for Echuca. It has been on the up since the Walker/Maddox tandem took over for the 2018 season, and with young guns coming through from an unbeatable under-18 side, it should be a contender for a few years. But the pressure continues to grow after a grand final loss in 2019. It needs to strike while Walker, Kirkby and the elder players are still there.st – 3rd:

FIXTURE

Round 1 Seymour (home), April 3

Round 2 Benalla (away), April 10

Round 3 Kyabram (home), April 17

Round 4 Rochester (away), April 24

Round 5 United (away), May 1

Round 6 Mansfield (home), May 8

Round 7 Swans (away), May 15

Round 8 Shepparton (home), May 29

Round 9 Tatura (away), June 5

Round 10 Mooroopna (home), Jun 12

Round 11 Euroa (away), June 19