Sport

Echuca sides advance to decider

By Matthew Kappos

Sep 3, 2025

Echuca Junior Football Club is gearing up for two grand final showdowns after sides negotiated tricky Goulburn Murray Junior League preliminary finals on Sunday.

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Tongala Recreation Reserve was the venue for three blockbuster clashes, two in the under-16s and one in the under-14s.

In the under-16 division one contest it was an Echuca civil war as Bombers clashed with Murray Bombers.

Oliver Spring sends it high and long. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Bombers had finished the season as the minor premier, but it was fourth-ranked Murray Bombers that continued their unlikely finals run, prevailing 7.16 (58) to 8.5 (53) in a back and forth contest.

Murray Bombers started the game on top after kicking two goals to one and getting their massive behinds tally up and running.

Bombers' Macklan Dalziel and Murray Bombers' Munyari Wanganeen-Johnson battle in the ruck. Photo by Matthew Kappos

However, the second period belonged to the Bombers and the higher-ranked team looked like it might run away with the contest, kicking five unanswered before half-time.

Oliver Spring was in particularly fine form, slotting three in the term.

The lead grew beyond 20 shortly after the break before Murray Bombers began to eat into the deficit.

Kai Anderson is smothered by the Bombers’ defence. Photo by Matthew Kappos

They kicked two goals to the Bombers’ one in the third, before doing enough to edge into the lead by the final siren.

The Murray Bombers now take on Shepp Notre Bears in the grand final, a side that beat them comfortably in the only previous meeting this campaign.

Jake Coghlan claims it in space. Photo by Matthew Kappos

In under-14 division one, another Echuca side was in a close battle, Echuca Green sneaking past Kyabram Bombers 6.5 (41) to 6.1 (37).

Harry Dunham and Arli Walker slotted two goals each for Green, while Sam McCleary and Marlon Micallizi found one each.

Mason Whinfield wrangles Jack Schroeter, but not before he gets his kick away. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Like the Murray Bombers in the under-16s, Green has surged from fourth position to make the grand final, where it will now battle Mooroopna in the decider.

In the only previous meeting, Mooroopna won by 64 points, but Green has been in improved form during the finals series and should provide more of a challenge.

Cooper Hedges gets his kick away under heavy Mooroopna pressure. Photos: Matthew Kappos.

In under-16 division two, a fortunate home-ground finals draw wasn’t enough to inspire Tongala to victory, the Blues going down heavily, 17.14 (116) to 1.1. (7) against Mooroopna on Sunday.

Jett Kreymborg targets a teammate in space. Photo by Matthew Kappos

After a clinical first period that saw the Cats kick five goals to none, Tongala inspired some hope of turning the tide in the second, having far more success restricting Mooroopna’s attack and kicking its first goal of the game.

However, Mooroopna came out of the main break with renewed vigour and put the game away with a barrage of majors.