Footy is back in a big way

Shepp United 7.9 (51) lt. Echuca United Gold 10.9 (69)

Echuca United Gold was greeted by another cracking day for footy on Sunday for its match-up against Shepp United and those watching were treated to a great contest.

Had we kicked straight in the first quarter the game would have been all but over.

Ryan Stobaus played an outstanding game across half-back, repelling Shepp United time and again.

Jake Clancy and Godders were again providing us with great drive on the wings and Fayte and Fish were good targets up forward.

However, bad kicking is bad football and the Shepp side rallied in the second quarter to lead at half-time by five points.

The third term was a real arm wrestle and Jak Powell, who was moved to half-back, owned the footy, single-handedly thwarting repeated Shepp forays into the forward line.

Right on the three-quarte- time siren, Rylan Johnson kicked a clutch goal to put us in front by five points.

In the last quarter, with no fit players left on the bench, the magnets were being shifted feverishly and Barney, who moved from defence to attack, delivered, kicking four last quarter goals.

We just had to find a way to hang on against an opponent who had their tails up and to the boys’ credit they ground out an impressive 18-point victory.

Goals: Bryce Barnstable (4), Jaidyn Talbot (2), Rhylan Johnson (2), Samuel Fisher, Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe.

Awards: Jak Powell (Paramount), Bryce Barnstable (Aussie Beer Shed), Jake Clancy (KFC), Ryan Stobaus (KFC), Riley Godfrey (KFC), Sam Fisher (KFC), Fayte Belmont- Wickliffe (Roma Pizza).

Echuca United Blue 4.2 (26) lt. Numurkah 23.12 (150)

The Echuca United Blue team lined up against a new look Numurkah at home last Saturday.

After a decent hit-out the week before, the young eagles were hopeful of another good contest.

Unfortunately, from the first bounce it was apparent that the Numurkah team was a very strong outfit, boasting players with some senior experience.

The United boys gave their all in the first half but were unable to hit the scoreboard.

The backline was under immense pressure, and if it wasn’t for the efforts of Mitch Boyd down back the scores would have looked much worse.

Being down by 75 points at half-time, it would have been easy for the young Eagles team to drop their heads.

But to their credit they came out more determined in the second half.

Rylan Johnson kicked two goals and the midfielders began to get more of the footy.

The boys kept putting their heads over the ball, and we’re not intimidated by the bigger opposition. It was a tough day but they should be proud of their efforts.

Goals: Rhylan Johnson (2), Mitchell Boyd, Fraser Maconachie.

Awards: Mitch Boyd (Paramount), Ollie Poole (KFC), Zander Graham (KFC), Colby Campbell (KFC), Riley Godfrey (KFC), Hunter Beverage (Aussie Beer Shed), Rylan Johnson (Roma Pizza).

Echuca v Rochester

Under 14s

Echuca White 5.3 (33) lt. Shepp Swans Red 12.12 (84)

Goals: Liam Stephens (2), Archer Guinan, Jed Dargan, Charlie O'Toole.

Youth Girls

Echuca United 0.0 (0) lt. Shepp United 12.15 (87)

Goals: Sophia Mccarthy (4), Jorja Ayton, Molly Kennedy, Aurora Smith, Keeley Skepper, Kate Adams, Areaka Bamblett, Sierra Tejones, Darcie Smith.

Goulburn Campaspe Junior Football League

Under 14s

LBU v Leitchville-Gunbower

LBU 9.7 (61) def. Leitchville-Gunbower United 2.6 (18)

LBU's report

It was great to see the kids able to play football again. Thanks to Leitchville-Gunbower coaches and players for a great day.

In the first quarter, LBU scored three goals with Jai Milligan setting the pace with a good goal out of the centre.

Noah Ramskill and Nicholas Mitchell played well up forward while Finn Palmer was dominant down back.

The second quarter saw the team changed around.

Archie Sims was strong up forward and the midfield was led by Bowden Stone and Jai Milligan who were winning everything.

In the third quarter Noah Condliffe played well, with Bowden Stone our only goal scorer.

Lucas Holgate was having a great game at half-back while Cody Betts was getting plenty of the ball.

In the final quarter LBU’s young guns were running out of legs with the opposition getting back into the game.

Jacob Haines went forward kicking one, along with Oscar Palmer

Finn Palmer went into the centre and along with Bowden and Noah won nearly every clearance.

A super team effort by all the boys to start the season off.

Leitchville-Gunbower's report

It was a perfect day for the boys to get back out on the oval on Saturday.

All the parents were happy to see them out there. The sounds of cheering and the horns were great to hear.

Our boys showed lots of potential, kicking straight and tackling hard.

The older players led by example and the younger ones (some who have never played a game before) surprised themselves with great play.

LBU was too strong for us and ran away with a win but the boys definitely enjoyed the game.

Considering the boys have only trained a few times, coach Steve was happy with their game and individual performances.

Onwards and upwards Bombers.

Goals: N. Mitchell (3), N. Ramskill, J. Milligan, C. Betts, B. Stone, J. Haines, O. Palmer.

Best: Jai Milligan, Bowden Stone, Noah Ramskill, Finn Palmer, Jacob Haines and Nicholas Mitchell.

Under 12s

Lockington-Bamawm United v Leitchville-Gunbower

LBU's report

On Saturday morning, it was great to see many excited kids ready to play their first football match of the season.

Against smaller and younger Leitchy-Gunny opponents, LBU displayed great attack on the ball and teamwork to move the football regularly into the forward line.

Players were rotated through many positions on the field to give everyone a chance to get into the game. It was good for players to experience different positions to play in.

With eight different goalkickers, the scoring was shared around in a fantastic team effort.

To their credit our opponents fought the game out to the very end.

Leitchville-Gunbower's report

The under 12s took on a much larger and more experienced LBU.

With the current situation and minimal time to prepare training-wise, it was a good effort by the boys and girls. We fought it out right until the end.

Half of our side were first-gamers, so well done to all of them.

It was also great to see a huge progression in a few of our older kids from last year.

Try and get along to training on Tuesday night to work on skills, fitness and fundamentals.

Thanks to everyone for abiding to the COVID-19 policies.

Bendigo Junior Football League

Under 18s

Leitchville-Gunbower 21.9 (135) def. North Bendigo 6.1 (37)

Glorious winter conditions greeted the Bombers as they ventured to Atkins St Oval. .

After a tumultuous week sorting border requirements, six forced changes failed to significantly impact the structure of the team.

A fast opening quarter would have delighted AFL commentators with eight straight goals kicked between both sides.

But it was Leitchy-Gunny who led after kicking six majors.

Key marking forwards revelled in ideal conditions as Hugh Byrne and Angus Baldwin took over in the air with the duo kicking five goals in the second.

The forwards were on song with 10 goals straight midway through the second.

First use of the ball on the small confines of Atkins St is paramount and Eli Spiers led the way in the ruck, gaining control.

He provided silver service to midfielders Windridge, Cruse, Gleeson, O’Shea and Ross as the Bombers dominated the third booting six goals.

A plucky Dogs outfit refused to throw in the towel playing their best footy in the last quarter while the Bombers’ tremendous accuracy for goal eluded them in the last.

The backline was rock solid all day led by the Taylor boys, Kervin and Ellwoo.

Their switching of the play was a highlight.

Hugh Byrne took best on ground honours booting 8.2 in a powerful marking display with plenty of support forward with Danziger, Gus Baldwin, Hawken and Varcoe all providing dangerous and raising the 2 flags.

Goals: H. Byrne (8), B. Hawken (3), A. Baldwin (3), H. Danziger (3), R. Varcoe, S. Cruse, A. Windridge, B. Taylor.

Best: H. Byrne, E. Spiers (based Torrumbarry), A. Windridge, M. Gleeson, B. Hawken.