Angus Watson takes a strong mark for Echuca. Photos: Matthew Kappos
No team can stay dominant forever and with Echuca’s under-18 side gunning for a ridiculous sixth flag in-a-row in 2025, it appears this season was the one where its luck finally ran out.
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From the outset, the Murray Bombers’ season wasn’t as dominant as it had been in years past – finishing third with a record of 11-7.
Jett Kervin gets on the move.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Yet, the boys in green managed to climb their way to a Goulburn Valley League preliminary final on Sunday against Mooroopna at Deakin Reserve.
The Cats and Murray Bombers were two evenly-matched sides from the get-go, with an extra minor in Mooroopna’s favour providing the only difference in the first quarter.
Echuca's Jett Love goes up to spoil Mooroopna's Max Thomas.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Echuca lagged in the second period, adding one major to its tally through Kade Mislicki as the Cats started out hot with maximums from brothers William and Oscar Emanuelli to take a 27-22 lead at the main break.
The Murray Bombers flipped the script in the third term, with Cody Walker bagging a double in quick succession and Hudson Kellett getting in on the action.
Ky Henson plays it out from the back.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Oscar Emanuelli managed to slot one on the stroke of the final turn to avoid a total collapse, with Echuca holding a one-goal advantage with the final frame to play.
In a game of runs, the Cats had the momentum in the dying stages with a trio of maximums down the stretch putting them over the top with Mislicki the only one able to reply.
Echuca’s Dhara Canham and Mooroopna’s Caleb Aitken battle.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
The 7.6 (48) to 8.11 (59) defeat brings an end to one of the greatest thirds dynasties in the GVL, with the boys in green dominating the first half of the decade with 2025 the first season since 2017 that the flag won’t come home to Victoria Park.
Ky Henson was named best-on-ground for Echuca in the preliminary final, with bottom-ager Walker also showing out with three goals to his name.
The grand final at Deakin Reserve on Sunday, September 21 will be between Shepparton and Mooroopna.
Ned Ash-Townrow handballs to the wing.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Judd Tamburro congratulates Jack Williams on a vital fourth period goal.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Patrick Jeffreys bombs it downfield.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Jayden Thorne soccers for goal despite the Zac Coghlan tackle.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
