MFL | Moama chalks up five-year best in mammoth win over United

“We just did what we had to do to get the win,” Sheldon said.

“(Echuca United) haven’t been as strong as they have been and are going through a bit of a lean period.

“We just had to go out there and play our way — a good result.

“Jye Smith and Ned Osborne played great games, they’re both coming on really well.”

A seven-goal second quarter saw Moama break away to a 45-point lead at half-time before slamming on 16 goals to one in the second half.

Moama’s latest thumping comes on the back of big wins over Rumbalara (80 points) and Nathalia (140 points).

It’s earmarked the Magpies as a side to watch as the 2022 season progresses, and Sheldon admits he’s happy with his sides early-season form.

“It’s a good start,” he said.

“You can only play who they put in front of you.

“I’ve been really happy with the way we move the ball and what we’re trying to do as a side.

“We want to get ourselves to a level where we are competitive with the better sides, which we face in a couple of weeks.”

Moama is set to be without star midfielder Axel Childs for an extended period however, after he sustained a knee injury in the last quarter.

“He’s off to Melbourne to get that looked at,” Sheldon said.

“Hopefully it’s not too bad, but he’ll probably miss a couple.”

While the Pies have claimed their third straight win, United has conceded its third straight triple-figure defeat.

Injuries in the Eagles ranks inflated the final margin with just one rotation available in the final term after injuries to Matt Harris and Angus Jackson.

Lachlan Egglestone and Dane Leyden toiled hard in the Eagles midfield, while Darcy Ramage stood tall in the ruck battle.

Despite the final scoreline, Eagles coach Farran Priest said he was pleased with his side’s efforts early in the contest.

“Our first half I thought our pressure was really good,” Priest said.

“We’re starting to capitalise on the efforts we put in.

“We just take bits and pieces away like we have in previous weeks.

“This week we put together a quarter-and-a-half of pressure footy that we’re really trying to embrace.”

Moama heads to Finley in round four, while United’s task only gets harder with a clash against Cobram, who is coming off a 178-point win over Barooga.