FIVE IN A ROW: Echuca opens Goulburn Valley League football grand final day with a thrilling under-18 comeback win

The young Murray Bombers had the chance to set the tone and help turn the event as green as the immaculate Deakin turf, and they appeared on their way less than 40 seconds in as Jaxson McMinn received the handpass hanging off a pack and calmly dribbled home for the game’s opener.

Tim Bruton’s side responded in seemingly the blink of an eye and within two minutes, after a superb long-range finish off the boot of Mitch Grumley, the Swans were in the ascendancy.

It was skipper Makai Cronin who broke up an eventual 20-point Swans scoring run with a sure-footed snap from the left pocket just before quarter time, but Echuca was fighting from underneath.

In keeping tune with the previous three meetings between these clubs in 2024, the Swans held a modest eight-point buffer at the first change, but there was more than some work to be done yet.

The Murray Bombers started to work their way back in through the centre clearances during the second term, with Cody Walker unleashing from range moments before vice-captain Jed Dargan was found all alone to convert and bring it back to three points.

Luke Oellermann’s finish off a free kick ensured that despite leading for perhaps a combined two and a half minutes of the first half, Echuca would hold the upper hand at the main break.

A pinpoint ball from Harper Simpson found Sam Bicknell in amongst three defenders, with his subsequent conversion the highlight of another Swans rally.

As the gap increased, any celebrations were snuffed out emphatically with a scary moment forcing Jett Bruton off on a stretcher.

A staggeringly long 35-minute third term finally wrapped up with the red and white 32 points to the good, but a man down.

Charlie O’Toole and Tom Evans combined to provide a glimmer of hope with a quick-fire double to close it down to a three-goal game before McMinn finally became Echuca’s first multiple goalkicker with a 30-metre snap.

Almost halfway through the term came the moment the Swans delivered what felt like a dagger through Harper Simpson, a 16-point buffer failing to last as Darby Jones joined the scoresheet for the resurgent Murray Bombers.

With Isaac Watson’s strike threatening an enormous comeback, Simpson again coolly delivered the goods up the other end.

You need leadership in the key moments and Cronin’s snap for goal number two obliged when called upon while the Murray Bomber talls got first crack at everything in the air in Bruton’s absence.

A classic grand final scramble followed over the next few minutes with the ultimate drama - Tom Evans taking a gamble out of a stoppage that clattered the post, only to receive a free and a second chance but spray it wide.

If you thought we were done there, a holding the ball free came inside Echuca’s 50 a minute later with moments remaining and - you guessed it - Evans sunk the hardest of all three chances to put the green machine two points up.

A rushed behind offered the red and white no mercy as utter jubilation overtook Echuca’s faithful, the Murray Bombers upholding a five-year premiership streak in a barnstorming 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80) classic.

Victorious coach Curtis Townrow paid tribute to his young side’s cohesion and - most importantly - adherence to the club’s brand.

“I thought if we could get a run on in the last quarter with the wind, we were a chance,” Townrow said.

“They had the momentum and we were slowly stopping that towards the end of the third term, but they were playing pretty well.

“Bomber Time is the brand we try and play, and it makes us dangerous; with so many avenues to goal, that’s one of our weapons so we can chop and change if something isn’t working.

“I think the wind played a big part in that one, and it was pretty 50-50 in the air until Jett went down.”

Townrow also lavished high praise on McMinn, who took the Freddo McMahon medal as best afield, while Shepparton Swans’ Sam Bicknell took out the umpires’ recognition.

“His performance today was nothing different than what we’ve seen from him all year,” Townrow said.

“He’s an absolute workhorse for us and a real leader for us on the ground.

“He’s the future of our footy club, essentially.”