GVL Data | Interesting takeaways from Echuca’s win over Tatura

By Oliver Shedden

Jun 9, 2024

Echuca’s Liam Tenace (left) kicked a trio of goals against Tatura in round 9. Photo: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

It was no secret that Echuca was the overwhelming favourite against Tatura in their round 9 match-up, having lost only a single match by 13 to arch-rival Rochester in round 5.

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So when the two teams did play, it was no surprise that the Murray Bombers took control from the beginning and did not let go throughout the contest.

With that in mind, let’s examine some of the more interesting statistics from the match and how they illuminate the strengths and weaknesses of one of the most dangerous teams in Goulburn Valley League.

Firstly, an intriguing statistic that leapt off the page was that Tatura scored 81 per cent of its points from turnovers, which, on the face of it, seems bad for Echuca.

Yet this means that Tatura was only able to score most of its points from a mistake by Echuca, not from its own playmaking.

Tatura scored four of its five goals and six of its seven behinds this way, which means that Echuca’s defence was doing its job, forcing Tatura into 20 forward turnovers.

Interestingly enough, Echuca had more forward turnovers (25), but still managed to kick 17 goals at a good clip, with its scoring efficiency kicking at 70 per cent.

Yet, Echuca’s biggest issue was its conversion rate.

It racked up 21 behinds to go along with 17 goals, with its goal accuracy only three per cent higher than Tatura’s, at 44 per cent.

Echuca feasted in the middle, which gave its attack ample opportunity to score.

Its disposal efficiency was 66 per cent for the match and the clearance percentage was 63 per cent.

Echuca also had 26 marks inside 50, which meant it created great scoring opportunities within range, whereas Tatura only had eight.

Echuca’s defence locked it down all game.

The Murray Bombers also had more contested, uncontested, and intercept marks than Tatura, highlighting Echuca’s comfortability and ease of possession throughout the contest.

In simple terms, Echuca had the ball a lot, got into positions it liked, scored where it wanted and kept Tatura from scoring, all things a winning side does at a high level.

This collection of stats paints a holistic picture of Echuca’s dominance against Tatura and possibly how it may shape up against first-placed Shepparton when they face off in round 12.