Eagles downed by blistering Blues

Echuca United kicked another goal in the second period, but that was all it could muster. At the same time, Numurkah continued to work despite lacking accuracy, kicking three goals and 13 behinds to take a 69-point lead at the half.

The Eagles continued to be consistent, notching another goal to their total in the third term, but the Blues bagged another five goals and three behinds to extend their lead heading into the final frame.

Numurkah was incentivised to play hard in all four quarters, with differential looking to play a vital role in determining finals match-ups.

And play hard they did, holding Echuca United scoreless down the home stretch while the Blues ended as strongly as they began, drilling seven goals and a pair of behinds to put the home side to bed, winning by an eye-watering 139 points.

The final score was Echuca United 3.2 (20) to Numurkah 23.21 (159).

It was a win by committee for the Blues, with the attacking trio of Tim Arnel, Nathan Hicks and Jarrod Holmes kicking four goals each.

Meanwhile, Riley Godfrey, Samuel Goodluck, and Reece Sidebottom scored a goal a piece for the Eagles.

Sidebottom and Goodluck earned themselves a place on Echuca United’s best for the match for their efforts, alongside Brady and Sam Simpson, Nash Ramage and Ryan Stobus.

While the Eagles will not make finals this year, they will have an opportunity to ruffle some feathers in the season’s final round when they face flag favourites Congupna next week.

Conversely, Numurkah will face third-placed Moama in round 18, with both teams’ finals placings on the line.