Murchison-Toolamba celebrates a goal during its 26-point grand final rematch win over Shepparton East. Photos: Megan Fisher
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Murchison-Toolamba has proven it is still the Kyabram District League team to beat in 2025, with the reigning premier retaining bragging rights over Shepparton East in a 2024 grand final rematch.
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In the first real test of their premiership defence, the Hoppers were on the front foot from the start, pulling out to an early lead which they wouldn’t relinquish for the entire contest, running out 10.8 (68) to 6.6 (42) victors at Murchison Recreation Reserve.
As expected, the contest was a tense, low-scoring affair, with two goals scored in the opening term, both of which went the way of the Hoppers, who entered the first break with a 14-point advantage.
Shepparton East’s Jamie Spencer marks in front of a teammate.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The Eagles managed to hit the scoreboard in the second term, firing home two goals of their own, but the margin still grew as Murchison-Toolamba found the middle of the big sticks on three occasions, holding a handy 21-point lead at half-time.
Needing a spark after the long break, Shepparton East failed to find a way to eat into the advantage the Hoppers enjoyed, kicking two points in the third quarter and, although, the home side slotted another two goals, it failed to fully slam the door shut, with the margin still a reachable — albeit unlikely — 32 points at three-quarter time.
Murchison-Toolamba’s Aidan Lloyd propels the ball forward.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
It was a renewed Shepparton East that ran out in the final term, booting four goals in its best return in a quarter for the afternoon as it looked to stage a huge come-from-behind victory, however, the Hoppers proved too strong, booting three goals to remain perfect in 2025, with coach Brett Foley satisfied with his side’s performance.
It was a physical clash between the two powerhouse sides.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“It was a nice and physical game, which it always is against Shepp East,” Foley said.
“We sort of controlled the game I thought, keeping them to two goals for the first three quarters, which is very pleasing.
“Coming away four-goal winners was good, I thought we played some good footy, but we've also got a few things we can improve on.
“It's nice to get the four points against a good side so early in the season.”
Joshua Wild looks to find a teammate.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
A big battle between two of the KDL’s top midfields was touted before the game, with Foley of the opinion that the game was won in the engine room, although spearhead James Lloyd’s bag of five proved crucial too, especially with the Eagles’ Jake Sutherland kept goalless despite booting 15 across the opening two rounds.
“Yeah, I think so,” Foley said when asked if the dominance of his midfielders dictated the outcome.
“Lachie Devine in the ruck sort of gave our guys first use in there and James Lloyd kicked five of our 10 goals, that was another key factor in winning the game, I thought.”
Murchison-Toolamba’s Nathan Turner tackles Shepparton East spearhead Jake Sutherland.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Having faced Girgarre and Stanhope to start the year, two sides that missed finals in 2024, there was an element of the unknown heading into the weekend’s clash about exactly where the Hoppers sat relative to the rest.
And now that they know they’ve still got the measure of last year’s runner-up, it’s all about continuing to find a way to stay one step ahead of the competition.
“It's something we were looking at, we've had a couple of pretty easy wins and then coming up (against) a good side, it sort of (helps us) see where we're at,” Foley said.
“It's very pleasing coming out (on top), the boys are nice and happy. We just have to push on from now on, just (keep) trying to get better and better and try and keep banking the wins.”
In other contests, Nagambie continued its unbeaten start to the season with a 10.9 (69) to 7.16 (58) win at home over Rushworth, while Longwood claimed its first win in a 13.7 (85) to 10.10 (70) victory over Undera.
Violet Town’s impressive start to 2025 continued with a 19.18 (132) to 7.6 (48) thumping of Tallygaroopna, Stanhope accounted for Merrigum 15.6 (96) to 7.6 (48) and Lancaster secured a big 20.28 (148) to 8.7 (55) win over Girgarre, while Avenel had the bye.
