GVL Data ǀ Ones to watch this Sunday

By James Kleeman

Sep 22, 2022

Dark horse: Euroa’s Andrew Bell had a big game against Echuca in the Pies’ semi-final defeat.

As everyone knows finals are always a different ball game and with a premiership on the line, there’s simply no way of knowing which players stand up and which players go missing when the grand final heat is switched on.

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But past performances this season, through the lens of GVL Data, can give us some idea who will be willing to run full tilt at the premiership this weekend.

Will it be the likes of AFL giants Andrew Walker and Sam Reid who lead the Murray Bombers to long-awaited glory?

Or will it be Euroa’s quiet achievers Andrew Bell and Jack Frewen that steady the ship against the odds and steer the Pies to their first Goulburn Valley League premiership in more than 32 years.

The stats tell a clear story — Echuca is the obvious favourite.

Co-coach Walker took the game on when Echuca dispatched of Euroa in the semi-final, gathering a game-high 30 disposals, 18 ground ball gets and 19 contested possessions.

But co-coach Simon Maddox heaped praise on a number of his quiet achievers, with wingmen Riley Smith and Jack Evans lauded for their hard-running and consistent pressure.

At a glance

Riley Smith v Euroa, semi-final one

Disposals 20

Contested possessions 10

Uncontested possessions 10

Ground ball gets 9

Inside 50s 6

Kicking efficiency 66%

Handball efficiency 100%

For Euroa, the likes of livewire Ben Giobbi and mercurial forward Jett Trotter are the clear game-breakers the Pies will look to unleash at Deakin Reserve on Sunday.

But looking at the last time the two sides clashed, some unlikely heroes emerge.

Half-forward Jack McKernan chalked up a season-high 27 disposals, 24 uncontested possessions and also managed an astounding 15 rebound 50s.

Andrew Bell also put together one of his games of the season, gathering 25 disposals, 11 ground ball gets and nine clearances in a valiant effort to keep his side in the contest.

In a grand final battle with so much to play for, who will stand up and be the hero for their side on Sunday?