The Murray Bombers will have an opportunity to clinch the first spot in the Goulburn Valley League grand final when they tackle the Magpies at Mansfield, looking to make it three wins against Scott Rowan’s squad this season.
Coming off a 69-point qualifying final victory over Mansfield last week, Echuca will regain a star trio for the clash at Mansfield Recreation Reserve in pursuit of its first grand final appearance since 2019.
Key defender Cam Valentine, ruckman Kane Morris and swingman Sam Reid make their way back into the Murray Bombers lineup for a high stakes game against a Euroa side coming off a strong elimination final win over Kyabram.
In their two matchups this season, Echuca has had the run of the green over the Magpies with 43-point and 62-point wins, but coach Simon Maddox said that wouldn’t count for much under the spotlight of finals football.
“Euroa are in red hot form, they stitched up Kyabram comprehensively and we’ve got great respect for them,” Maddox said.
“They have got some really good, experienced players. A small Mansfield ground will probably suit them.”
Victory will see Echuca qualify for the 2022 grand final, the first to be held since 2019 — a game the Murray Bombers also featured in.
Defeat will book a preliminary final date with either Mansfield or Mooroopna next week.
“The challenge for us is to get in the car, get up to Mansfield and bring our best football — it’s a simple equation,” Maddox said.
“(The game) will probably be won in the midfield, both sides are pretty solid down forward and back.
“Often in finals the game doesn’t break open as everyone expects it to, so whoever can win the midfield battle wins the day.
“It will be a good battle between (Kane) Morris and (Andrew) Smith in the ruck, they’re the two premier ruckmen in the comp in midfields littered with talent.”
Despite a strong first-up finals performance, the Murray Bombers mentor said his team wasn’t getting ahead of itself preparing for the Mansfield road trip.
“We finished on top of the ladder and have to travel to, geographically, the two furthest locations from Echuca,” Maddox said.
“We take that as another barrier thrown at us; that’s our attitude at the moment, whatever they throw at us we’ll just knock it down.
“If you get ahead of yourself, you come crashing back down to Earth very quickly. If you’re slightly off your game, you’ll be beaten, it doesn’t matter if it’s GV or AFL.”
Euroa will come into the game with a head full of steam after dismantling the reigning premier courtesy of a resounding nine-goal-to-none third quarter.
Magpies spearheads Tristan Davies and Jett Trotter booted three goals apiece in the 51-point win, and loom as two game-changers this week.
Euroa’s midfield cohort of Jack Hellier, Andrew Smith, and Harrison Jarvie look set for a frenetic battle against Echuca midfielders Jack McHale, Andrew Walker and Kane Morris.
Meanwhile, Mooroopna will be hoping to continue its fairytale run when it faces Mansfield at Kyabram Recreation Reserve.
The Cats fended off a strong Rochester challenge in last week’s elimination final and will be hoping to bundle out the Eagles in straight sets.
Throughout the grades, Kyabram and Echuca face off in the second semi-final while the Murray Bombers and Shepparton Swans do battle in the under-18s and under-16s to qualify for grand final places.
Seymour and Shepparton will look to sew up a spot in the A-grade netball decider when they battle at Mansfield, while Euroa will look to fight another day when it takes on Mooroopna.