Facing Shepparton United, a side that finished with just three wins in the home and away season in 2024 and narrowly missed the wooden spoon, Echuca was by no means dominating the Demons in the first half.
Echuca may have drawn first blood in the form of a behind by Samuel Edgar, but it was United that made a statement early, kicking back-to-back goals to jump to a 12-1 start.
Over the course of the first term, play levelled out between the two sides with Kane Morris (1.1), Jackson Stewart (1) and Cooper Barber (1) getting busy in front of goal for the Murray Bombers.
As the two sides traded blows into the second quarter, there was nothing separating the pair, however, Morris continued his strong kicking performance with another maximum and minor to leave scores level 36-36 at half-time.
The Demons went up by eight early in the third period following a goal and two behinds, but the longer the game went on, the more the menacing defending champions began to find their feet.
It took until the final frame of the opening match, but the Murray Bombers discovered the emerald magic that carried them to three consecutive championships as they dissected the Demons in a clinical display.
Five different goalers got in on the fun as United could only muster a pair of behinds as they watched what would have been a shocking upset fall by the wayside.
Echuca was notorious for being a slow starter for much of last season and it appears that old habits die hard as the green machine lifted itself to a 39-point victory in a strong run to the final siren.
Morris (3) led the charge in front of goal for his side, while Stewart, Barber and Samuel Edgar slotted a pair of maximums each.
Stewart was joined by newly-minted senior captains Mitchell Wales and Jack McHale, as well as Benjamin Reid and Cameron Valentine in the best-on list.
Echuca coach Simon Maddox reflected on the game and, while he acknowledged the side started slow, he was happy with the effort and finished product his side gave in round one.
“Shepp United were good, they brought the heat early, it was pretty even up until half-time, we probably fumbled the ball a bit and made a few mistakes,” he said.
“We started to get the wheel turning in the third quarter and then we opened the game up in the last quarter and got away.
“It is a good base to launch off and gives us an illustration of what we need to work on moving forward, so it was a good first game.”
He also praised the Demons and noticed a significant improvement from last season.
“Ultimately, you aren’t going to win every game by 100 points and, credit where credit is due, Shepparton United played pretty well, they definitely moved the ball quickly and they brought intensity,” he said.
“They gave it a red-hot crack and they have improved on last season, they will surprise a few sides this year.”
Maddox put the game down to his side working itself into the season and building chemistry in the team but was also satisfied with the overall effort from his players.
“I think just getting back into the swing of things and gelling as a group, we have a younger side, so that’ll take time to adjust, we probably just lacked a little bit of polish, especially in front of goal,” he said.
“We are pretty happy with round one, it was just a good, solid team effort so all smiles down at Victoria Park.”
