GVL | Star-studded Murray Bombers put Bulldogs to the sword

By Josh Huntly

Jul 24, 2022

Hot footy: Echuca's Angus Byrne holds possession under heavy pressure from Tatura's Daniel Maher. Photo: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

Echuca welcomed a star-studded cast and blooded two promising ruck talents in its 161-point drubbing of Tatura in another clinical Goulburn Valley League performance .

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The Murray Bombers welcomed back star off-season recruit Sam Reid, while supporters were also treated to the long-awaited debut of North Melbourne VFL star Marty Hore in Echuca’s 27.12 (174) to 2.1 (13) victory.

It was a tough slog for Tatura stalwart Linc Wellington, who celebrated his 300th senior appearance for the club.

Ruory Kirkby cracked the 50-goal mark with six against the Bulldogs, while a workmanlike performance from Mitch Wales helped Echuca notch its 13th-straight win.

The Murray Bombers had 14 individual goal-kickers to celebrate Will Monahan’s 100th game in style.

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The Murray Bombers slammed home nine first-quarter goals to Tatura’s no score, adding another four in the second term before Rhys Damon snared the Dogs’ first.

Harry Murdoch added Tatura’s only other goal in the third term as Echuca piled on 14 goals in the second half.

Bulldogs stars Tom Sullivan, Billy Cooper and Mitch Elliot battled hard, but the combined efforts of Kirkby, Wales and returning VFL duo Jack Evans and Gus Byrne proved a bridge too far for a battling Tatura outfit.

Echuca remains two games clear atop the GVL ladder as a result of the win, and Murray Bombers’ co-coach Andrew Walker praised his side’s performance coming off the bye.

“It was a super day,” Walker said.

Superboot: Echuca’s Ruory Kirkby sends the ball forward. Photo: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

“Obviously we had the round off last week. Sometimes that can be a bit of a danger, but I think we trained well this week leading into the game.

“He’s someone who probably doesn’t get as much praise as he should, but Mitch Wales turns up to training every single Tuesday and Thursday, and he’s the first here helping out the under-16s and 18s.

“It was probably his best game for the club, in all honesty. He’s hard at it and he’s now a really consistent senior footballer.”

Reid booted four goals in his return from injury, while at the other end Hore etched his name into the best players list with a dominant defensive display.

Byrne finished with four goals for the match, combining with Reid and Kirkby for 14 of Echuca’s 27 goals.