Football
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Under 17 - Echuca United
The under 17 Eagles started a winning nature for a day of football at Echcua South Recreation Reserve, with a dominant 74-point win over Barooga.
In what would best be described as the most even team performance to date, Maisyn Douglas again stamped himself on the game with an outstanding performance in the midfield and across halfback, working in tandem with Toby O’Brien, who has grown in confidence with his line breaking runs from defence.
Nash Ramage marked everything in his vicinity to provide plenty of drive across half-forward, while Lenny Cook, holding his position out on the wing, created countless opportunities for the forwards as he drove the ball into the forward 50 zone.
In the second half Kody Kendrick started to dominate the ruck contests, as Riley Godfrey took advantage of his hit outs and exploded out of the centre - which Barooga had no defence against.
The team now looks forward to a huge challenge against Cobram this week.
Final score: Echuca United 12.11 (83) d Barooga 1.3 (9)
Best: Maisyn Douglas, Kody Kendrick, Toby O’Brien, Lenny Cook, Nash Ramage, Riley Godfrey.
Goals: F. Belmont-Wickliffe 3, M. Harris 2, B. Barnstable 2, D. Purbrick 2, L. Cook, S. Chapman, M. Boyd.
Under 14 - Echuca Bombers
The contest started with Echuca applying a lot of pressure from the first bounce, pushing the ball forward consistently but unable to make much impact in a crowded forward 50m.
Cody Walker had his hands on the ball early and Archer Golding drove much of the play. Eventually, Jett Kervin marked in the square and kicked Echuca’s first for the day. Ned Ash-Townrow later followed suit with his own mark in the square before finishing off with a goal.
The second term saw Echuca finding more ability to create space as they continued to apply pressure. Dhara Canham, with some nice hands, found Ash-Townrow who kicked his second before Will Addicott crumbed to kick Echuca’s second for the quarter.
Kervin also managed his second with another mark in the square, before Addicott added a second to his total and Voss intercepted a kick out to run in and kick truly.
Tatura then managed to find themselves with a lot of space in their forward line due to Echuca flooding upfield and were able to add their first two goals to the scoreboard.
The third term saw Walker move forward and present well, which led to a very early goal for Kervin in the pocket after good linkage.
Tom Oliver found Ash-Townrow with some neat hands, who went on to kick his third goal for the day. Luke Oellerman dominated the forward line and added two more, while Walker marked strongly to kick his first.
The last quarter saw Jensen O’Farrell move into ruck and inject himself into the game, while Oellerman roved the forward line to kick his third for the day.
Walker then made a strong pack mark to slot his second. Tatura managed a mark up forward to add their third goal for the day, before a big chase down tackle from Addicott saw Echuca link up and hit Canham up who kicked Echuca's last goal for the day to defeat Tatura.
Final score: Echuca Bombers 14.17 (101) d Tatura 3.1 (19)
Goals: N. Ash-Townrow, J. Kervin, L. Oellerman 3, W. Addicott, C. Walker 2, D. Canham, T. Voss.
Best: N. Ash-Townrow, C. Walker, E. Swiggs, K. Fitzsimmons, J. Kervin, L. Oellerman.
Under 12 - Echuca White
Proudly sporting their new Indigenous round jerseys, it was evident that White brought with them a hunger on the footy field against fellow club members in Echuca Bombers.
In saying that, the Bombers were just as hungry with the pressure palpable despite the slippery and cold conditions.
With a few more players leaving their post to assist, the game found itself to be a congested gridlock and as a result the football was kept from gaining any significant mileage to either forward line.
However, once White got a feel for the game, they started to turned up the heat with Paddy Oliver pushing the play out from the pack, Henry Bell swinging into action to help out and Mitch Sutton creating movement down the corridor.
The Bombers answered and Jag Tarrant along with Sophie Jardine were soon working in tandem in White's back line.
Harrison Whan and Charlie Gotch showed great persistence with their pressure and tackling while at one point Harrison Whan and Toby Kennedy successfully linked up on the wing.
In the second quarter, White stood its ground and kept their allocated positions and, as a result, delivered its most damaging quarter.
Charlie Voss produced some great tap outs in the ruck, while Henry Bell worked his magic and snared a magnificent goal early on which bolstered the team's confidence.
Will Hatfield and Arley Canham constantly covered good ground with their speed and determination to get their hand on the ball as Marlon Micalizzi played his usual high calibre game; reading the play well, out-running his opponents and kicking long into the forward line.
George Allen also made a terrific lead on the wing and was rewarded with a clean mark on the chest.
Coming into the third quarter with only one point the difference, Hunter Reid made his presence felt in the forward line early on, managing to snap one through the big sticks. Echuca Bombers were quick to respond by kicking two goals in succession.
After a tug of war, the ball found it’s way back to White's forward line and Hunter Reid clearly had a taste for it, managing to slot another through the sticks.
Another great link up between Bell and Gotch then saw Gotch hit his moving target in Canham, as Lily Dunham continued providing great pressure to get the ball out of some sticky situations.
The intensity was high during the final quarter. Will Walshe continuously put his body on the line, demanding the football from beneath the packs.
With White's good pressure on the opposition, the side continued to shut down their opponents attempts at goal with great intercepts and tough tackling in the mud.
For the most part, the ball predominantly stayed in White's forward where Angus Donnan was making his presence felt, as Gotch, Sutton, Hatfield, Canham and Harrison all relentlessly applying great pressure. Brilliant shepherds by Bell, Voss and Tarrant assisted their teammates in their forward motion.
After the final whistle, the two home teams congregated at the centre to sing the ‘Mighty Bombers’ song.
Final score: Echuca Bombers 4.6 (30) d Echuca White 3.8 (26)
Awards: Hunter Reid, Harrison Whan, Lily Dunham, Charlie Voss, Jag Tarrant.
Under 10 - Echuca Bombers and Echuca White
It was a great start to the Echuca's Indigenous round with Echuca Bombers facing off against Echuca White.
Echuca White's captain, Nate Murphy got his team off to a positive start by winning rock, paper, scissors against Echuca Bombers’ captain, Ged Canham.
Echuca Bombers also recruited Arli Walker and Luca Micalizzi for the game with both players working hard all game.
In the wet conditions, the ball was in the Bombers front line most of the first quarter, where Jaxon Key, Joey Lowry and Tom Arthurson snapped several ripper goals and defenders Jordi Howe, Sam Whan and Thomas Reynolds were very strong for White.
After a pep talk from Echuca White's coach, White came out strong in the second quarter. There were some brave marks from White's Finn Cullen and Thomas Cooke, which resulted in goals. Not to mention the Bombers strong backline including Harry Formosa, Max Gill and Jimmy Kervin.
The Bombers started the third quarter off strongly with Jobe Murphy and Bae Quayle laying some excellent tackles, then sending the ball into the Bombers forward line.
White's backline were working overtime through Jed Dullard, Charlie Hearn and Jack Howe, while the Bombers Levi Weeks and Harry Emonson had some excellent teamwork between the two of them to help send the ball through the goals.
Heading into the last quarter, White were down by a few points so Connor Williams and Max Taranto came out strong along with Sam McCleary and Nash Myers for White who also played a very strong game in the wet conditions.
Both teams played extremely well which resulted in no clear winner.
Echuca Bombers awards: Bae Quayle, Tom Arthurson, Joey Lowry, Levi Weeks.
Echuca White awards: Thomas Reynolds, Jack Howe, Connor Williams, Sam McCleary.
Under 10 - Echuca Murray Bombers and Echuca Green
There was excitement in the air as the players prepared themselves for the Archie Walker Indigenous Round and an opportunity to run out in brand new jumpers and bragging rights at stake against Echuca Green.
After an inspiring and educational talk from Andrew Walker, players from both sides readied themselves to take on the winter elements and the opposition.
Charlie Flanigan, Hamish Leersen and Blake Shandley set the scene from the opening bounce with fierce tackling and run from the middle of the ground, while Harry Hooper roamed across the centre line, building a wall and keeping the ball locked in the forward line.
This allowed players such as Jaz von Lueders, Thomas Schroeter and Tyler Martin to attack the ball and have many shots at goal. Eventually, due to the constant inside forward 50s von Lueders slotted multiple goals.
Lachy Finn continued his strong form, taking plenty of marks around the ground. With Riley Mills in and under everything, flicking the ball out to players like Arli Walker and Jack Gibson the ball continued to head towards the Murray Bombers forward line, before goals came through Hooper and Flanigan.
Martin was active in the forward line, presenting plenty of options, before Finn Hughes started the third strongly, presenting across the centre line to mark and push the ball forward.
There Walker, Gibson and Finn pounced on the ball and had multiple shots at goal. Even in trying conditions, players were moving the ball through handballing and accurate kicking.
Frazah Nuttall then roved the ball off the pack, handballed out to Walker who passed it off Finn for a shot at goal. This passage emphasised the teamwork that has been developed throughout the year.
In the last quarter, the heavens opened up and rain started to pour. Both sides rallied in the conditions and were able to show plenty of skills, making coaches very proud.
Lachlan Cunningham, Hughes and von Lueders attacked the ball strongly in the forward line and were able to capitalise with majors, while Mills, Schroeter and Walker continued to remain busy across the forward line which allowed further scoring to occur.
Best: Arli Walker, Tyler Martin, Harry Hooper, Lachy Finn.