With another big year of sport in the rear view mirror and and action-packed 2026 on the horizon, The Riv sports desk is counting down its best sport stories from the year that was.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
In three parts, we’ll give you our favourite moments from epic highs and lows, inspiring journeys and career milestones from Echuca and surrounding areas.
Echuca four-peats in McMahon Shield
Echuca cricketers put in a strong performance against Rochester to lift the Goulburn Murray Cricket’s John McMahon Shield for the fourth time in as many years.
Echuca won the toss and elected to bat first, and the story of the innings being the consistency of the now four-time champion’s top order.
Best afield recipient James Grixti topped the scoring list, grinding out 77 from 160 deliveries in an anchoring innings at number three.
Kobyn James added 60 and Anthony Dennis made it two 50s from as many finals innings as he came away with 63 from 73 balls.
Echuca set an impressive 8-297 overnight total for the Rochester players to mull over.
Adam Ward put in an impressive shift, bowling over a quarter of the allotted 80 overs (22) and taking an innings best 4-100.
Jesse Cuttriss (2-43) added two wickets, while Angus Martin (1-47), and Dylan Cuttriss (1-29) also made breakthroughs.
Returning on the day two, Rochester’s batters had a tall order to chase, requiring nearly 300 to break Echuca’s premiership streak.
Openers Brandon Byrne and Sean Williams looked steady from the outset, but nerves began to show when Byrne (1) slipped taking off for a quick single, resulting in a run out at the non-striker’s end.
Williams continued well with Vibhor Yadav as they quickly put pressure back on Echuca’s bowling attack led by Aidan Young (4-32) and Simon Maddox (3-36).
The mercurial opener managed to tally 26 before his name was called thanks to a superb slip catch by Brendan Moyle.
Rochy looked in control until Young was able to sneak one past the bat of Yadav and trap him lbw for 40.
Adam Ward (37) was in a nice groove and fancied his chances, hitting a lofted drive down the ground, but it found its way into the hands of Curtis Townrow.
Echuca managed to stave off any threat of a big score in the perfect moments, as both Kuldeep Lal (21) and Dylan Cuttriss (34) were nipped in the bud right as they tried to accelerate.
This left a mighty task on the shoulders of captain Angus Martin (17) with the Rochy tail, but he too fell at the hands of quality bowling by Young.
In a game that looked closer than perhaps the scorecard would indicate, Rochester ran out of batsmen with 101 left to chase.
Echuca has claimed the champion title once again, slaying the minor premiers in an excellent all-round showing when it mattered most.
Southern 80 diamond jubilee celebration
Despite the cancellation of the Southern 80 race, thousands of tourists, locals and boat racing enthusiasts descended upon Victoria Park boat ramp for Moama Water Sports Club’s 60th anniversary Southern 80 celebration.
With more than 100 boats on display spanning 60 years of Southern 80 history, there was plenty to see for the keen observer or simply someone looking for a fun day out.
Moama Water Sports Club president Steven Shipp outlined the strong link between family bonds and waterski racing.
“I think that is what the sport is about, being able to leave a boat behind that still can be carried on and still raced after you’re gone, so that is really special.
“People talk about where they started and who they started with, and you hear a lot of family stories where you have grandkids who ski and race and they may be third generations now.
“It is a tight-knit community and we are all a big family, so it is nice to see everyone and for people to be able to come and appreciate something we are all so passionate about.”
Shipp emphasised the club’s surprise at the turn-out and the joy of seeing so many attendees interested in celebrating a milestone for the sport.
“The crowd here is a fair bit more than we expected, we are quite impressed with the amount of people we have here today,” he said.
“We are really impressed with the boats and the amount of effort people have put into them and all the great displays.
“Seeing everyone interact with the boat owners and getting to know the history has made it a great day and a fantastic way to celebrate our 60th year of racing.
“It’s definitely a special way to bring up an important milestone.”
Walker caps huge year with prestigious medal
Highly touted Echuca prospect Cody Walker had a 2025 to remember, capping an impressive year on field with another accolade to his collection.
Walker took to the MCG on grand final weekend as part of Team Docherty, taking on Team Boak in the Marsh Futures match.
The annual futures game on grand final day highlights the best under-17 prospects from the following year’s draft class.
While team Boak scored the win by 13 points, Walker came away with the best-on-ground medal after posting 25 disposals (14 contested), four marks, seven clearances and six inside 50s.
“Obviously, it’s pretty surreal,” Walker said.
“First time playing at the G, it’s something you won’t forget, and it’s such a good arena to play on.
“I was definitely pretty happy with how I went.
It’s been a busy year for the star junior, joining Victoria Country as a bottom-ager for the under-18 national championships and, in July, committing to Carlton under the father-son rule.
A packed year of footy also saw Walker suit up 13 times for the Bendigo Pioneers and make four appearances for Echuca’s senior side in the GVL, including in the blockbuster finals clash with Rochester.
“Being able to play pretty good, consistent footy (at the Pioneers) was definitely an aim this year, and I think going back to Echuca in that final game this year against Rochy (was a highlight),” he said.
“I definitely played not too bad, but to play against senior players and play against a pretty good midfield in Rochy was definitely an eye-opener for me.”