The midfield battle proved crucial in the first meeting between the two clubs since the 2022 decider, with Echuca pipping the Purples 3.9 (27) to 2.2 (14).
Echuca’s leaders shone, with vice-captain Jorden Irvine starring with two goals, while Echuca captain Jacqueline James led from the front in a contested midfield battle against Nathalia stars Aimee Sidebottom and skipper Caitlyn Price.
Kate Dixon also hit the scoreboard for Echuca while Price and Kiara Cooper were the Purples’ only goalscorers.
The Murray Bombers’ defensive efforts saw Nathalia kept scoreless in both the first and fourth quarters, a feat that ultimately proved the difference in a low-scoring contest.
“Our midfield was really good,” Echuca coach Damian Dalziel said.
“Jordan Irvine was best-on-ground, she was great all day, Jacqueline James was good once again.
“Across the board, everyone did their job, Nathalia has some classy players, so we pretty much just tried to shut down their better players.”
Memories of last year’s grand final heartbreak resurfaced as the Purples unfurled the 2022 flag, but it was all business from there for Echuca as the team locked in with six players missing from its round one squad.
“Rubs a bit of salt in the wound when you’ve lost and watch the flag get unveiled, but then it was just footy for us,” Dalziel said.
“We had a few new faces, so we just went out there with a mind to play our own brand of footy.
“It was a physical, solid hit-out and I think the scoreboard showed that. We kicked 3.9 and they kicked 2.2.
“We fought it out to the end, and we were lucky enough to come away with a 13-point win.”
In the other game of the round, Tatura responded to its round one defeat to Nathalia by earning its first win of the year against league newcomers Nagambie, claiming a tight nine-point win against the Lakers.
Echuca sits first on the NCWL ladder after two rounds and will face Nagambie at Victoria Park this Sunday, with the first bounce at 2.30pm.
The game
Scores
Echuca: 1.4, 1.7, 3.8, 3.9 (27)
Nathalia: 0.0, 1.2, 2.2, 2.2 (14)
Goals
Echuca: Jorden Irvine 2, Kate Dixon
Nathalia: Kiara Cooper, Caitlyn Price
Best
Echuca: Jorden Irvine, Jacquelyn James, Alice Kovess, Miranda Rose
Nathalia: Aimee Sidebottom, Kendal Judd, Caitlyn Price, Courtney Ladgrove, Maree Stephenson, Alexandra Mulcahy
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