The Murray Bombers entered the round five clash with a perfect record, facing a Cats side that split its opening four games with two wins and two defeats.
With Shepparton the only side above Echuca on the ladder, having also won all its games, it was imperative the Murray Bombers started fast to keep pace, and that call was answered instantly when they booted the first three majors of the match.
But Mooroopna would respond in stunning fashion, kicking the next five goals, all coming towards the end of the first quarter and helping it overturn an early 21-0 deficit to lead by 10 points at the first change.
The see-sawing nature of the match continued to start the second term, with Echuca producing its own run of five straight majors to reestablish its three-goal lead, before Mooroopna halted the avalanche before half-time with a goal, the Murray Bombers leading 8.9 (57) to 6.4 (40) at the main break.
The host would kick one more major than Echuca in the third quarter, which was a real arm-wrestle, as 12 scoring shots were shared between the sides for only three goals, the outcome still uncertain heading into the fourth.
Echuca had to dig deep late to narrowly defeat Kyabram the previous weekend and this time the Murray Bombers also showed up big in the final quarter, but to more devastating effect, booting four majors while keeping Mooroopna goalless to win 13.22 (100) to 8.9 (57).
Both sides struggled with accuracy in the second half and Echuca’s final margin of victory could have been greater, though it was another strong defensive effort that stood out, with the Murray Bombers making it four out of five games in which they have kept their opponent to less than 10 goals.
Malik Gordon was once again crucial for Echuca, adding 23 disposals and nine marks to his three goals, while captain Mitchell Wales led by example with 28 touches and four tackles complementing his two majors.
Echuca is still behind Shepparton on the ladder due to a lower percentage, the Bears winning again in round five, making the two sides the competition’s standout teams.
This weekend Echuca hosts Shepparton United at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, the Demons sitting ninth with a 2-3 record through five rounds.
The Game
Scores
Mooroopna: 5.1, 6.4, 8.7, 8.9 (57)
Echuca: 3.3, 8.9, 9.15, 13.22 (100)
Goals
Mooroopna: Jack Osborne 2, Liam Betson, Oscar Emanuelli, Jack Johnston, Dan Tuddenham, Noah Williams, Toby Williams
Echuca: Malik Gordon 3, Makai Cronin 2, Mitchell Wales 2, William Deutsher, Tom Evans, Lachlan Hogan, Aiden Mills, Liam Tenace, Jesse Tuohey
Best
Mooroopna: Isaac Dowling, Dan Tuddenham, Keelin Betson, Toby Williams, Jack Osborne
Echuca: Mitchell Wales, Malik Gordon, Tom Evans, Lachlan Hogan, Jessie Johnstone
12°C