Tackling machine: Samuel Frawley brings down his Echuca opponent in the Tigers final match of the 2022 season.
Finals football can occasionally throw up a result that no-one saw coming — that wasn’t the case in the Goulburn Valley league’s reserve grade elimination final bout between Echuca and Rochester.
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The Tigers, who had lost to the Murray Bombers twice during the home and away season (the second occasion by 147 point when they had just one scoring shot), were no match for the team playing on their home ground.
Echuca finished 154-point winners, the Tigers failing to kick a goal in the 23.21 (159) to 0.5 (5) result.
Rochester’s mid-fielders spent much of their afternoon chasing, and tackling, which were tasks that teenager Declan Pearse excelled at for the afternoon.
In spite of the one sided contest he held his own alongside the combative Seamus Henderson and captain Rhys Eeles.
The Tigers’ mid-fielders were regularly required to push back into defence, in support of Xavier Hooppell, Darcy Myers and ruckman Jarrod Kyne.
Mitch Hewes and Ash Webb offered support to the defensive unit, but eventually tired and Echuca kicked 14 second-half goals after leading by 10 goals at the long break.
Kyabram, which won the qualifying final at Tatura on Saturday against Euroa, has won its way through to a next round of finals along with Seymour.
Euroa has a second chance and Echuca makes up the final four teams in the reserve-grade competition.
Captain’s call: Rochester reserve grade captain Rhys Eeles manages to release the ball to Darcy Myers while under extreme pressure in Sunday’s elimination final loss.
Final instructions: Tigers resreve grade captain Rhys Eeles (26) offers finals words of advice to his charges in the match against Echuca, at Victoria Park, on Sunday.
