Eagles soar over Cobram in junior footy

With this being Echuca White’s home game, they were out to prove all the training and teamwork had been paying off, and with Ned named captain and then winning the toss of the coin, the team was confident in their abilities.

The game started with a quick hit-out to Echuca White’s end which translated to a couple of quick points as the team rallied together. Green started to push back, making for an even fight for the ball. As the whistle blew signalling the end of the first quarter, lots of smiles were seen as the teams came into their huddles.

Green came back in the next quarter fighting hard and attempting to keep the ball in their forward half, but that was not to be with White snatching the ball and with some long kicks down the field, Echuca White players had their eye in and the goals in their sights.

The third and fourth quarter saw White’s defence stepping it up a notch and working hard while Green were trying to even up the scores. Great teamwork was seen as they tackled and smothered, with quick handballs out.

The game finished under lights with both teams shaking hands; after a great match-up both teams walked away proud.

Goals: Jordan, Blake, Tom, Ged, Ned, Nate, Nugget, Jaxon.

Awards: Jack, Tom, Jaxon, Ned, Riley, Jett, Nate, Nugget.

– Renee Leo

Under-10 Bombers v Runnymede Blue

The Bombers got off to a flying start with Oliver Wallis almost going down with leather poisoning in the first 10 minutes.

Tom Arthurson and Max Gill were at their rebounding best across half-back, driving the Bombers forward at every opportunity. Lucy Donnan provided plenty of pressure up forward allowing Harry Farrant and Charlie Hearn to find the big sticks early.

Ash Quayle’s incredible work rate was on full display as Runnymede lifted after quarter-time. Max Taranto’s midfield grunt and power running was rewarded with a long goal, while Jaxon Foley’s attack on the ball ensured there were no easy kicks for the visitors.

Max Williams pushed forward after the main break kicking three great goals, combined with strong defending orchestrated by Jobe Hosking and the Bombers headed into the final term full of confidence.

In a see-sawing final term, Flynn McCreddin’s extraordinary solo effort was rewarded with a brilliant goal. The calls for Harry Emonson to become a permanent forward became even louder, capping off a great game with a couple of superb goals, along with Farrant, whose running banana from deep in the pocket was a goal for the ages.

Awards: Roma-Harry Emonson; club voucher, Harry Farrant; Busy Bean, Jobe Hosking.

– Brock Williams

Under-12 Green v Deni Rams

Echuca Green hosted the Deni Rams on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning at Victoria Park.

Echuca started strongly, with Sam Henson kicking a goal in the first minute of the game. Deni responded quickly with a goal fending off Echuca’s strong backline.

Jack Schroeter impressed early with some solid kicks in the backline and the hard-working Lachie Jeffreys dominated through the centre, being rewarded with a goal for his efforts.

Jordan Moodie was terrific in the forward line, fending off his opponents and scoring a goal. Deggan Leo, Angus Tonkin and Lachie Cunningham also battled hard, looking for scoring opportunities that was eventually found by fast-moving Jack Millar, who kicked a goal to finish off a great quarter for Echuca.

The second term saw both teams trying to push the ball through the centre, with Deni scoring the only goal for the quarter. Echuca’s Lachie Finn and Logan O’Meara were effective through the centre, while Hunter Colless was strong in defence.

As the third quarter got under way, the momentum was all with Echuca as they took control of the play with scoring opportunities aplenty, despite Deni’s best efforts.

Ned Kilborn, Ryder Colless and Mannix Gray were standouts in the centre, getting the ball forward at every chance. Jimmy Kerwin, Sam Henson, Billy Sutton and Scout Mitchell all scored points while Billy Sutton and Lachie Cunningham both scored goals.

Despite Deni coming back strongly in the final quarter and scoring two goals, Echuca was able to hold on and take the win, in a great whole team effort.

Awards: Jimmy Kervin, Sam Henson, Billy Sutton, Jordi Howe, Paddy Kenna and Lachie Jeffreys.

– Jane Millar

Under-12 Bombers v Moama Black

The sun was shining and the birds were singing Echuca’s club song on a picture-perfect Sunday morning for football.

Straight away the Bombers were able to set up a formidable defensive wall across the centre line with Taj, Jagger and Joey halting several Moama pushes forward.

Arli swooped in and delivered a lace-out pass to Connor for a great set-shot goal. Following suit, Sam was able to pin-point Arli for another early goal to grab some momentum.

Ducky was working hard in the packs to keep the forward pressure building, and along with Jagger, they were patrolling the forward 50m to lock the ball in.

Jed and Gus started the second term on fire to start some attacks from defence, and Cookie showed tremendous skills to scoop up the ball and deliver to Arli for another goal.

Luckily the fire brigade was on standby for Arli as he exploded in the second quarter! His three-goal quarter was compelling viewing, but this was made possible by fantastic teamwork down the field. Lily and Cookie were putting on a tackling clinic, and all the while Taj continued to pick the ball off across the centre line.

As the third quarter started, Harry and Jobe were attacking the ball with no care for human life, and as such both needed a rest after some heavy clashes. Immy hit some great contests, and Curtis was everywhere across the defensive 50m.

Sam followed coaches’ instruction to the letter and snuck forward for a couple of excellent goals. Grace Napier and Cookie picked up some good handballs in traffic to keep the ball pushing forward.

Connor’s move to the backline was working with some hard running and nice kicks under pressure. Nate Murphy was having a brilliant game with several hard contests, and some silky-smooth skills to keep the ball driving into our forward line, along with a goal-saving tackle in defence.

Special thanks to our fill-in player Blake who proved size isn’t the deciding factor in a contest, as he was ferocious. A big game for new assistant coach Levi Weeks who was weaving some magic with the magnets.

Well done to all. All players are working really hard to bring each other into the game. Great work coaches, runners, umpires, parents and supporters.

– Iain McCleary

Under-13 Bombers v Echuca Murray Bombers

Echuca Bombers played Echuca Murray Bombers on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Victoria Park. The match got under way with players from both teams eager to prove a point and hit the contest hard.

It was the Murray Bombers hitting the scoreboard with the first two goals of the game before Echuca Bombers hit back with their first major. Ollie Spring was winning plenty of the ball from the centre but the Murray Bombers were reaping the rewards of their hard running by kicking another two goals to end the first quarter.

Sutts and Hatty asked their team to lift and to not be led to the ball, and after some tough hard footy for the first four minutes of the second quarter Charlie Sutton kicked a goal to bring the margin under 15 points.

The next eight minutes was again tough hard footy from both teams, Nate Smith was running straight at the ball while locking down the opposition’s key forwards, and Flynn Carr laid some heavy tackles to hold up the Murray Bombers. Through sheer grit the Echuca Bombers moved the ball into the forward 50 with Ky Anderson pouncing to snap truly just before the half-time siren.

It was again a tight tussle to start the third quarter with Will Hatfield showing great courage running back with the flight of the ball to take a mark. Mitch Sutton was digging deep to ensure the ball did not go past centre-half back kicking the ball long with Echuca Bombers finally getting the ball forward of centre with Arley Canham finding Arli Walker who then slotted the first and only goal of the third term.

At the three-quarter time break Hatty and Sutts urged the players to work together and move the ball quickly. Macklan Dalziel was starting to really take over in the ruck with Jack Schroeter streaming off the wing hitting the pack with force. Arli Walker found the ball in the forward pocket to check side the ball through the big sticks for a goal.

Echuca Murray Bombers responded with two quick goals to push the margin back out before Ben Henson dodged and weaved his way through traffic to kick a ripping goal!

In the end Echuca Murray Bombers held on to win a great tussle between the two teams.

Best: Ben Henson, Mitchell Sutton, Will Hatfield, Oliver Spring, Jack Schroeter, Charlie Sutton, Macklan Dalziel.

– Craig Canham

Under-15 v Notre Dame Gold

The first quarter started with coach Fitzy applauding the umpire on a great centre bounce.

From the bounce the ball quickly moved into the Echuca defensive arc and the Notre Dame forward pressure kept the ball there. Strong running from Oska MacFarlane moved the ball quickly however the Bombers were unable to capitalise in front of goal.

Notre used the ball slowly but surely moving forward with the first goal coming from a hard Echuca spoil fortuitously landing in Notre hands in the goal square.

Echuca’s errant kicking resulted in multiple turnovers leading to Notre having more shots on goal for the quarter.

Echuca’s centre clearance strength was on show in the second with Sam O’Brien-Leitao giving Echuca first use. Fast ball movement led to the celebrations of a goal only to be deemed touched by the goal umpire. Desperation in defence from Frosty saw another good smother, only for the ball to rebound into the path of a running Notre player and an open goal presented.

The half-time message was to keep up the intensity and look for first options out of defence. Again, Notre’s forward 50 pressure was high with Echuca struggling to push into their end despite Jett Kervin’s intercept marking and Darcy Irwin’s strong spoils.

Bailee Smith continued pushing hard to be open in the midfield and with Dhara Canham presenting hard the Echuca boys kept the pressure on, just failing to capitalise.

The hard work of withstanding a defensive barrage was rewarded in the fourth with Charlie Kenna on the end of great link up play only to just knock the woodwork for a behind. However, the continued effort from the half back line again saw the ball move fast with Kristian Fitzsimmons delivering lace-out to Campbell Orr, who went back and slotted it from 25m out.

Although it was a loss both coaches applauded the way the team had continued to compete, put their heads over the ball and run the game out.

Final score: Notre Dame Gold 18.20 (128) to Echuca 1.2 (8)

Awards: Finn McPherson, Oska MacFarlane, Dhara Canham, Darcy Irwin, Jett Kervin, Kristian Fitzsimmons

– Stuart Addicott

Echuca United

Under-17 v Cobram

Heading to Cobram to take on the Tigers on their home ground, with them looking to push for a spot in the top six was going to be a challenge. To our boys’ credit they answered it from the first bounce.

Nash was once again dominant in the ruck, setting the tone for the rest of the group early. Fayte played his best game for the year, showing the way with his work in the contest and strong leadership all day. With a six goal to zip first term, it was evident that we had settled well.

The forwards were capitalising on our forward entries with Jackson Gronow and Sam Chapman in everything and making life difficult for the Cobram small defenders. Jackson Lewis was prolific across half forward and through the midfield and Jake Clancy continues to put together a fantastic season all built on the back of a huge work rate.

The back six were again dominant and kept the Cobram forwards to two goals for the day which was very pleasing. For the second week running we shared the goal kicking around, having seven different avenues to goal.

Everyone played their part to ensure we maximised our scoring opportunities, which was a great to see.

Another solid team performance.

Cobram 2.6 (18) lost to Echuca United 13.10 (88)

Awards: Hip Pocket Towel, Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe; Rich River Golf Club, Jackson Gronow; Roma Pizza, Sam Chapman; Taranto’s Pizza, Jackson Lewis; Murray Valley Driver Ed, Nash Ramage; Brooklyn Barbers, Jake Clancy.