Echuca's 18s hunting history

In the under 18 football competition, Only one team has ever accomplished the feat in Goulburn Valley League history - Echuca in 1976.

Now, 43 years later, the newest generation of Murray Bombers look to write their name into the history book as the second side to claim the honour, whilst delivering Echuca's first back-to-back 18s premierships.

While the history is daunting, coach Leo Tenace said his side his players weren't feeling the pressure.

“I think the expectation is out there away from the football club,” he said.

“But the boys aren't really feeling it. They're just excited for the opportunity to have a shot at a premiership and to hopefully deliver another flag to their club.”

It may be the best Echuca under 18s side yet, but it will be the swansong for a large group of the team irrelevant of the result.

“We have 16 top age players this year,” he said.

“They're going to contribute for the club for many years to come, but it is their final opportunity in lower grade football. It hasn't been spoken about around the group, but they're all very aware of the position they are in.

“It's a group of guys who have contributed a lot to the success of this team in the past years, they have been key in getting us into the position we are in now, so they will want to add another flag before they move up.”

But with the grand final comes the decision Tenace dreads as a coach.

“There are probably half a dozen players whop are going to miss out that simply don't deserve to,” he said.

“Our success this season has come out of our depth - we have so many guys who are able to deliver for this team and have done so all year.

“We've had guys who have stepped in as players went to seniors or to Pioneers duty and have done everything we asked of them. But this is the difficult part of footy. I wish I could take 28 guys into the game.”

Their opposition, Seymour, came close to getting the win when they last met in the qualifying final, before a heroic final quarter from Jack Evans saved the side late.

With the club having proved they can find their way to victory from any situation, the Bombers will have a lot of confidence heading into the decider.