Murray Bombers explode early to beat Bears

Echuca kicked five of the game’s first six goals, at one stage leading 30-6 in the opening quarter, before the Bears started to find their feet, but still trailed 37-20 at the first change.

Shepparton closed the opening quarter by booting two of the last three majors, and kicked two out of three again to open the second term.

It suddenly was within two goals before the Murray Bombers rediscovered their earlier dominance.

Simon Maddox’s side closed the first half with four unanswered goals, taking a commanding 11.4 (70) to 5.4 (34) lead into the main break.

“Our energy and effort was really high, was really up, the guys brought the heat, particularly in the first quarter,” Echuca coach Maddox said.

“We were ready to go; we were switched on.”

The Bears aided their comeback effort early in the second half by booting the first two majors of the third quarter, but Echuca responded again.

“Although the game didn’t get super close, they (Shepparton) did lodge little spurts of 10 or 15 minutes where they got a bit of a run on, and to our boys’ credit, we were able to hit back and steady the ship,” Maddox said.

The Murray Bombers kicked the next three to stretch the margin beyond 40, and two in a row to open the final period had Echuca home as it led by 47.

Shepparton closed the contest with three consecutive majors, but it was cosmetic in the overall picture, Echuca securing an impressive 16.7 (103) to 11.7 (73) victory.

The Murray Bombers have now won nine of their last 10 meetings against the Bears, continuing to show confidence in a match-up that could be seen again on grand final day.

Echuca will now play Kyabram in the second week of the finals series, the winner of which will book its place in the big dance.

Maddox is wary of the experience and leadership the reigning premiers possesses, while he also praised the Bombers’ quality in their on-ball midfield brigade, who are aided by the work of ruckman Zac Norris.

“Ky beat us during the year so we won’t be taking them lightly, particularly when there is a grand final spot on the line,” Maddox said.

The Bombers won the last meeting between the sides back in round 15, and are one of only two sides that have got the better of Echuca in 2026.