Albury-Wodonga’s Murray Crays brought a solid team over for round one, kindly aided by some top-ups from the plentiful Echuca squad.
From the opening bounce it was an arm-wrestle with both sides having plenty of forward entries but neither able to get right on top.
The formidable duo of Sandy Lawrence and Jon Beach put a goal each on the board to get the Emus going, and it was shaping up as a tight contest with two goals apiece at quarter time.
After a rev up from coaches Bruce McCahon and Jeff Abela, the Emus pecked their way through the Crays with a six-goal-to-one term.
The Crays rued missed opportunities after only snaring three goals from their 11 scoring shots in the first half.
The away side then rebounded in the third quarter to even the ledger at three-quarter time, 56 points each and setting the scene for an epic final quarter.
On tired legs, the Emus managed to nudge their way into the lead by the smallest of margins, and a final goal on the siren by Damien Hammond ensured a seven-point win for the Emus.
Brad Colliver and Mark Battiscombe gave the Emus drive from the middle, while twin recruits Mike and Gary Davis showed how valuable they will be with a goal of the year contender.
For the Crays, Nathan Marsh was outstanding and Lyndon Neville a solid contributor.
The Emus’ next match will be against Bendigo away on May 7.
The game
Echuca Moama United 11.5 (71) def Murray Crays 9.10 (64)
Echuca Moama United goals: Beach 2, Lawrence, Arnott, Battiscombe, Johnson, Smith, G. Davis, Prewett
Echuca Moama United best: M Davis, G Davis, Colliver, Beach, Van Poeteren
11°C