Sport

Murray Bombers get last laugh in 15-and-under thriller

By Oliver Shedden

Sep 21, 2025

Echuca’s 15-and-under side claimed the silverware against Mooroopna on Sunday morning. Photos: Rechelle Zammit. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

At the full-time siren of the 15-and-under netball grand final, the girls in green were smiling like the Cheshire cat.

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In a see-sawing, frenetic contest that came down to the dying stages, Echuca overcame a ferocious Mooroopna unit in drizzly conditions to claim the first silverware of GVL grand final day.

The Murray Bombers jutted out to an early four-goal lead in a tight first few minutes, but the Cats’ strong attacking movement and defensive intensity kept them in the hunt.

From the outset, the quality of both side’s goalers was evident, with eventual best-on-court medallist Sarah Head for Echuca and Mooroopna’s Layla Ratcliffe trading majors.

Echuca’s goal shooter Sarah Head won the best-on-court in the grand final. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

In the lead up to quarter time, the Cats clawed their way into the contest, having majority share of the ball, cutting the Murray Bombers’ lead to a pair of goals at the first change.

While Echuca came out hot in the second period, Mooroopna weathered the storm with fast hands and a disruptive defensive presence.

As the Cats levelled the score, the Murray Bombers took their foot off the gas, unable to penetrate Mooroopna’s iron-clad defence made up of Isabella Haeusler and Sophie McDonald.

Echuca celebrating the win. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

As the Cats kept purring in attack, the Murray Bombers managed to stop the bleeding, trailing 26-24 at half-time.

The girls in green were reinvigorated in the third term, stringing together passes through the mid-court and turning up the heat in defence.

As Head battled in the goal circle, she sparked a shift in momentum for Echuca as Mooroopna started showing signs of fatigue.

Despite having all the momentum, the Cats managed to keep their whiskers in front, clinging on to their two goal lead at the final turn.

Echuca’s Lexi Howard in disbelief. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

In sport, it’s not about how you start, its about how you finish, and it appeared that the green tsunami was just biding its time.

Not only did Echuca retake the lead, but it piled on 15 goals down the stretch to take the game in extraordinary fashion 53-50.

Echuca coach Gina Pearson reflected on the match and said it was the culmination of a year of growth for her side.

Lucy Ridge in motion. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“I’m just super excited and proud of the girls, they’ve worked really hard all season,” she said.

“You never know what you’re going to get on grand final day, but the girls put it all together.

“They’ve been fantastic all season, they pushed each other at training and got better and better.

“I’m just amazed really, everything that we’ve worked on at training and throughout the year came together today.”

Assistant coach Misty Howard and Rose Williams embrace after the siren. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Pearson also took a moment to acknowledge best-on-court medallist Head, who as a bottom-ager was the shining light for her side in the grand final.

“Sarah (Head) is a very young player, she’s just turned 14, she’s outstanding and gets a lot of attention from the opposition’s defence,” Pearson said.

“She remained focused, kept in the game and shot unbelievably well - she’s amazing.”