Eagles, Murray Bombers fly in junior football

Thanks goes to the Congupna lads, their effort and endeavour was fantastic all day, and the game was played in great spirits. In the end, a big margin, but more important was the execution.

Final score: Echuca United 23.21 (159) defeated Congupna 0.2 (2)

Awards: Rich River Golf club - Zane Martin. Roma Pizza - Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe. Brooklyn Barbers Echuca - Jett O’Rielly. Intersport Echuca - Jackson Lewis. Murray Valley Driver Ed - Jai Lloyd. Hip Pocket Towel - Sam Chapman.

– By Garet Stobaus

ECHUCA

Under-10 Bombers vs Runnymede Green

Captain courageous Flynn McReddin got the Bombers rolling early, winning the toss and electing to kick with what some would term a five-goal breeze, others an Antarctic blast!

The chilly conditions didn’t seem to worry Oliver Wallis, who was red hot early, winning midfield clearances and driving the Bombers forward. Max Williams and Max Gill capitalised, kicking a couple of goals each. Jobe Hosking was busy up forward, applying pressure and kicking a great goal.

Hunter Colless was popping up everywhere, releasing teammates with some terrific inside work. Jaxon Key acclimatised brilliantly and was everywhere after quarter time, kicking goals and racking up touches. Tom Arthurson was superb. When he wasn’t kicking goals, he was setting up teammates while Harry Farrant’s run and carry was outstanding, hitting the scoreboard.

Ash Quayle’s selfless end-to-end running continued after half time with a great crumbing goal. Max Taranto’s relentless attack on the footy was rewarded with a handful of goals. And then there was Harry Emonson — in one of the great halves of football, the dynamic defender pushed forward and had a day out, kicking truly from all angles and celebrating accordingly.

– by Brock Williams

Under-12 Green vs Echuca Murray Bombers

Echuca Green faced off against clubmates Echuca Murray Bombers, on a chilly Sunday morning at Vic Park.

In the first quarter, Echuca Green came out strongly, with Lachie Jeffreys dominating play in the centre, along with Tommy Schroeter, Sophie Millar and Scout Mitchell, who impressed early. Paddy Kenna made the most of his opportunities, scoring a goal early, followed by another goal from the hard-working Jack Schroeter. Logan O’Meara also got in on the action, contributing to Echuca Green’s lead with another great goal.

The Murray Bombers came out attacking in the second quarter, having several shots at goal and putting pressure on Green’s backline of Ned Kilborn, Nick O’Meara, Ryder Colless and Angus Tonkin, who were terrific. Deegan Leo and Jimmy Kervin were also impressive in the centre. Echuca Murray Bombers’ hard work paid off at the end of the half with a well-earned goal.

As the second half got under way, an energised Green pushed the ball through the centre, delivering the ball with great accuracy to the forward line. Lachie Jeffreys was a standout scoring two goals, while Jack Millar, Sam Henson and Jobe Murphy moved the ball forward at every opportunity, each being rewarded with a minor score for their efforts.

In the final quarter, Echuca Murray Bombers finished strongly, scoring a goal midway through the quarter. Green responded quickly, continuing to take advantage of scoring opportunities, with Reeve Sellars, Jaxon Key and Jobe Murphy all scoring goals to take the win.

Coaches awards went to Deegan Leo, Jack Millar, Ned Kilborn, Sam Henson and Ryder Colless.

– Contributed

Under-12 Bombers vs Deniliquin Rams

A Sunday morning road trip to Deni to kick the frost off the grass and the Rams kids came to play! They stormed out of the blocks with great skill and control to have the Bombers reeling.

Our backline was under great pressure with Jed, Cookie and Gus working hard against the tide. We gained a bit more control of the ball in the second quarter with Kai and Jagger kicking the ball forward, and Nate and Charlie had some terrific intercept plays to keep the ball locked in our forward half, while Curtis stopped a breakaway run against three opponents. Some inaccurate Echuca kicking meant Deni kept its advantage leading into half time.

Coaches Mark and Dan reached deep, deep into their coaching bag and pulled out some magic. A rousing speech about the joys of going back to school seemed to light the spark that the kids had been missing in the first half, and a thermonuclear explosion ensued.

Straight from the centre bounce the team looked transformed. A brilliant run out of the centre with a clean tap from Jagger to Nate, then Cookie and on to the silky smooth skills of Kai and the ball was rushing forward. Across half back, the team was locked in as well. Jen, Jobe and Swiggsy all did terrific work to intercept some attacks and send the ball back forward while Immy kept hitting the contest. Connor had a brilliant run out of defence, and also cleverly rushed through a behind under pressure. With the ball surging forward, Sam stepped up and kicked three goals for the quarter in a brilliant effort.

It was a one-point ball game going into the last quarter and the whole team stood up. Arli was playing an outstanding game and Taj had a huge triple effort of tackling on the wing. Jagger switching into the ruck was inspirational, and Jed and Gus were doing tough work in the packs.

Harry snuck in a great goal, and Jed snapped one over his shoulder while Sam added to his bag of goals. Lily ‘The General’ was marshalling the backline like a military field exercise, and Nate’s last quarter was excellent. Cookie had one of his best games, and Jobe, Jagger and Sam were outstanding.

Great game everyone, and to come away with a good win after a slow start was brilliant. Well done coaches, umpires, runners and supporters.

– by Iain McCleary

Under-13 Bombers vs Mooroopna

Teams were a little light on for numbers on the weekend, so both teams took the field with 15 players a side. This made for a fast and open game of footy at Mooroopna, in what was a closely contested game.

Echuca hit the scoreboard early through Billy Sutton, who finished with two majors for the day, and Nate Smith was strong in the backline, attacking and clearing out any ball that came into our defensive area.

Jaxon Hogan and Macklan Dalziel worked hard in the ruck and Charlie Sutton was lightning quick through the middle of the ground and moving forward when needed, to score four goals for the day.

Arli Canham took a strong mark followed by a goal from a set shot from the boundary line, 35 metres out in the third quarter, and Will Hatfield, Will Jeffreys, Ben Henson, Flynn Carr, Ollie Spring, Hunter Reid and Blade Watson played strong games reading the play well and running hard all day. A great game by both sides.

– by Sharon Henson

Under-15 vs Leitchville Gunbower

Echuca got off to a great start with Cunningham kicking Echuca’s first goal with the assistance of team mates. Echuca’s defence was strong and pushing back on Leitchville Gunbower, with Carr working hard, but the opposition seemed too strong in the forward line. Good tackling by Addicott and great ball control by Carlile in the middle working it forward, with Echuca leading by two points heading into the second quarter.

Kervin was quick for a strong tackle to start the quarter, with Irwin playing a good game with lots of push backs and defending. Chivers-Sellings put Echuca back in front with a strong goal. Smith’s hard tackling in the forward half assisted teammates to go for goal, which left Echuca trailing by 10 at the main break.

Fitzsimmons’ goal four minutes into the third quarter left Echuca trailing by four points. There was strong defence from both sides but Leitchville Gunbower seemed to have the upper hand by scoring goal after goal to leave Echuca trailing by four goals heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter saw Echuca in luck, with Leitchville Gunbower lining up for goal only to hit the post. Echuca’s defence ran hard, with Kervin strong in the middle. Leitchville Gunbower was proving to be too strong for Echuca on the slippery ground. Continued effort in the last quarter allowed Echuca to score another goal through Chivers-Sellings. Strong team work by Fitzsimmons, Kervin and Cunningham.

Leitchville Gunbower continued to use their skills and keep our backline busy, running out winners in the end.

Best players were Addicott, Carr, Canham, Cunningham, Fitzsimmons and Orr.

Final score: Echuca 4.5 (29) lost to Leitchville Gunbower 8.16 (64)

– by Jessica Smith