MFL | Harney haul not enough to lift Eagles

By Josh Huntly

May 15, 2022

Improvement: Echuca United fell by 30 points to finals contender Congupna over the weekend. Photo: Steve Huntley

Echuca United spearhead James Harney booted six goals for a second straight week, but it wasn’t enough to get the Eagles over the line against Congupna on Saturday.

Harney added to last week’s haul against Barooga with another half-dozen against the Road as the Eagles fell 10.6 (66) to Congupna’s 13.18 (96).

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It’s the Eagles’ seventh straight loss to start the year but coach Farran Priest said it was pleasing to drag the momentum of last week’s close encounter against Barooga into the clash against the Road.

And with the margin floating around 20 points for most of the contest, Priest said his side was “one goal off sort of giving it a good shake.”

“It was pleasing to bring that momentum into this week,” Priest said.

“(Congupna) are a pretty quick side which caught us off guard a little bit.

“We started off well again, and our starts have been our main issue.”

Harney’s latest haul takes his tally to 18 goals for the season, and Priest outlined why the Eagles spearhead, recruited from Elmore during the pre-season, was such a difficult match-up.

“He’s hard to man up on because he can take a really big mark but he’s also good below his knees,” Priest said.

“We’re super lucky to have James. Week to week he gives absolutely everything.

“He’s obviously our main goal scorer but that’s just on the back of the work that he does.”

Harney’s goals were cancelled out by Jak Trewin (5) and Daniel Campbell (4) however, and an inaccurate Congupna threatened to blow the game open at various stages.

For United, Lachlan Carmody continued to fight down back alongside Joe Harney, and young gun Oliver Poole was also named in the best for the Eagles.

“Lachlan Carmody had a bit of a run with role, and Justin Cantwell played pretty well,” Priest said.

“The defensive six were good, obviously there were some mismatches in there.”

Echuca United will now have a week’s break before facing Nathalia.

Around the Murray Football League, Cobram kept Numurkah scoreless for three quarter on its way to a 155-point win over Numurkah.

Deniliquin meanwhile jumped up into second with a strong win over Nathalia in the other match-up.

While the Eagles’ senior side will have to wait another week to attempt to break their duck, the club’s Reserve side saluted its first win of the year.

Trailing by a goal at the final break, the Eagles kicked four goals to Congupna’s one in the final quarter to take a 9.7 (61) to 7.5 (47) win.

Aiden Guy, Brodie Dixon, Daniel Barwick, Maisyn Douglas, Tom Brain, and Luan Marsh were in the Eagles best.

United’s Thirds continued their unbeaten run with a 137-point win over Congupna.