Echuca’s 15-and-under side kick off club’s GVL grand final day with a bang

By Matthew Kappos

Sep 22, 2024

Echuca celebrated a phenomenal grand final comeback, successfully defending their 15 and under flag. Photo: Rechelle Zammit Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Echuca’s 15-and-under netball side has opened proceedings on Goulburn Valley League grand final day with an impressive come-from-behind victory at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton.

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The Murray Bombers were pressed by Mansfield and had to fight back in the second half to defend their championship 45-41.

Echuca’s Lexie Howard spots a far option in the 15-and-under grand final. Photos: Aidan Briggs

After a tight first quarter, the Eagles broke away late to take a 12-9 lead into the first change.

The loss of starting wing defence Milly Morley only a few minutes into the game didn’t help the Murray Bombers’ cause, and Mansfield continued to hold the edge throughout the second.

The three-goal margin remained more or less intact, but a late Eagles burst secured a five-goal advantage at half-time.

Echuca began to chip away at the lead coming out of half-time, and with about 40 minutes gone, the scores were levelled at 30-all.

The Murray Bombers would eventually take a tenuous one-goal lead into the final quarter.

Addison Orr distributes in mid-court. Photo by Aidan Briggs

A five-goal run in the middle of the final period put Echuca in a strong position, and it was able to do enough to close out Mansfield by four goals.

Misty Howard expressed her and co-coach Kristen Orr’s relief at securing the win over a scrappy Mansfield.

“Super excited. It’s amazing,” she said.

“It was a tough game, so it was great the way our girls fought back in the second half, and then as we were coming into the last quarter, I thought, these girls have got this.”

Isabella Spring looks to link up with a teammate. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Howard heaped praise on Mansfield, who took it to the champions in the final.

“As I said before the game, we knew they weren’t going to go away and that we’d need to do a four-quarter effort and that’s exactly what we did today,” she said.

“We were unlucky in the first couple of minutes that one of our players hurt her wrist and wasn’t able to come back on for the rest of the game so that did change the dynamics but we responded to everything that happened across the court.”

Kate Head put in a metronomic scoring performance for Echuca to earn best-on-court honours. Photo: Rechelle Zammit Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Kate Head’s impressive work around the goal ring, scoring 37 of the Murray Bombers’ goals, earned her best-on-court honours.

“I don’t think she let a rebound go for the entire 60 minutes of the game, so that was outstanding, but they were all great; I’m really proud,” Howard said.