Echuca knocks off premiers in thriller

The Bombers started marginally better at home, kicking three straight majors after Echuca opened the game’s scoring, before a goal from the Murray Bombers ensured they only trailed by eight at the first change.

The second quarter saw an inverse, Kyabram booting the first major before it was Echuca’s turn to make a run of its own by kicking the game’s next four goals and regaining the ascendancy.

A Bombers major before half-time cut the margin to just three at the main break, Echuca leading 6.3 (39) to 5.6 (36).

The see-sawing nature of the contest continued in the third quarter, the Murray Bombers extending their lead to 15 with the first two majors before Kyabram responded with the next three to retake the lead, which was relinquished when Lachlan Hogan hit the scoreboard for Echuca.

Heading into the fourth, the game was destined to be decided by single digits, as Kyabram continued to ensure Echuca didn’t pull too far ahead.

Malik Gordon booted the first major of the quarter, only for the Bombers to respond, and then Gordon goaled again, before Kyabram cut it back to less than 10 points.

An Anthony Depasquale goal for the hosts brought them to within three points, but Liam Gronow was the hero for the Murray Bombers, as his late goal proved the dagger, Echuca prevailing in a tense battle, 12.11 (83) to 11.8 (74).

Jackson Stewart and Liam Tenace were standouts for the visitors, the former having 29 touches, 18 of them contested and including nine clearances, while the latter was titanic in the air with 10 marks to complement his 33 hit-outs.

The win means Echuca and Shepparton Bears are the only two sides to have a 100 per cent winning record four games into the season.

Next, the Murray Bombers travel to face Mooroopna, looking to record a fifth consecutive win to begin the season, which is a feat they also managed last year.