GVL Data | Echuca representatives gear up for O&M test

By Alexander Dabb

May 22, 2024

Matthew Lias has been rewarded for his brilliant start to the year with a spot in the GVL interleague side. Photo by Liam Nash

Its no secret that the reigning back-to-back Goulburn Valley League premier has a plethora of talent at its disposal, plenty of which is set to be unleashed on Saturday at Deakin Reserve.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

There will be four Murray Bombers donning the purple and gold for the interleague clash against the Ovens and Murray league, with the quartet all having made brilliant starts to the season.

Riley Smith is the only one of the four to have played last season, and is set to reprise his role on the wing for the GVL this weekend.

Smith has averaged 17.8 disposals from seven games so far this season, as well as eight contested possessions and 2.4 clearances to help the Murray Bombers to a 6-1 record.

With 4.7 inside 50s and just under a goal a game, Smith is able to impact on the attacking end, which should suit the GVL side which has already stated their intention to play fast, flowing football.

On-baller Matt Lias has enjoyed a similarly positive start to the season, with the in-and-under midfielder putting up some outstanding numbers.

A total 22.1 disposals, 9.6 contested possessions and 3.9 clearances per game has Lias among the top handful of midfielders in terms of ball-winning ability, while his 5.4 score involvements also rank above average, as do his 94.7 ranking points.

Young gun Hugh Byrne ranks as elite across the competition in terms of goals per game (2), score involvements (7.6) and contested marks (1.9), so should prove a handful when he lines up at half forward on Saturday.

Winning 12.7 disposals, seven of which are contested, Byrne also averages a tidy 88.9 ranking points per outing.

Liam Tenace has shouldered the load in the ruck for the beginning of the season with skipper Kane Morris missing a handful of games, and has thrived in the role.

Averaging 15.3 touches and 22.9 hit-outs, the big man slots 1.7 goals per game and clunks 7.7 marks, while logging 7.6 score involvements and 121 ranking points.