United comes close again

By Matthew Kappos

May 25, 2025

Echuca United's Ryder Johnson and Nathalia's Brodie Ross fly for the footy. Photos: Jordan Townrow.

Echuca United is still looking to put its pieces together after another competitive defeat in Murray Football League.

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The Eagles have gone down in their past five matches, but three of those defeats have come by 17 points or fewer.

That was the case on Saturday against Nathalia, United defeated 9.7 (61) to 7.8 (50) in a game it led several times, including in the final quarter.

Anthony McMahon looks to shut down the Josh Gemmill kick. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

It was a quick start to the game for the Eagles on their home ground as they scored the first 13 points of the game.

Nathalia recovered to post its first major, but United was up by a goal at the first break.

The opening score of the second period saw the Purples level things, before they continued their run, kicking two more goals, for three total, to United’s one in the term.

Echuca United's Callum Parsons protects the space. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Down by seven at the half, and quickly by 14, early in the third, the Eagles fought back to trail by just four at the final change.

They would take the lead with the opening goal of the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold on to the advantage.

Cooper Boyd gets the handball away. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

United remained within a goal of victory down the stretch, but Nathalia was able to ice the game with a match-sealing goal late on.

A trio of Eagles stepped up in front of goal, with Mitchell Lourey, Anthony McMahon, and Ryan Stobaus kicking two majors each.

Liam Evans (4) and Joshua Vallender (3) shouldered the load for Nathalia.

United (2-5) will look to arrest its losing slide this weekend when it is once again at home, welcoming Rumbalara to Echuca South Recreation Reserve, before it heads into another Three Jacks Trophy clash with Moama on June 7.