After a thrilling conclusion to the home-and-away season, McMahon Shield finals fever has begun to sweep the region.
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The most exciting part of the summer is here and first up on the agenda are two semi-finals involving the four strongest sides in the competition.
The two games will feature polar opposite match-ups, a 2023-24 grand final rematch between Moama and Echuca at Victoria Park and a battle between risers Rochester and Ky Fire Brigade at Rochester Recreation Reserve.
The finals teams have all taken different roads to make the post-season. Rochy has looked the pick of the litter throughout, after a slower start Echuca has remained dominant, Moama’s injury-riddled season has produced up and downs while the Flames were almost perfect down the stretch to sneak in over BLU and Echuca South.
Despite finishing in second, the green machine still remains confident to defend the title they have held for four seasons straight.
“Everything is going well currently, we feel we are playing our best cricket at the right time of year,” Echuca captain Simon Maddox said.
“We’ll just go out there and try and get our own backyard right and put out the best performance possible and hopefully that will be enough.
“If everyone can play their role, and we can bat the 80 overs, we are confident we can post a big score and win.”
While Maddox remains steadfast on his side’s ability to win it all, he acknowledged the strength of Moama and its potential to pip anyone on their day.
“You can’t afford a slip up in the semi-final, especially against them (Moama) there is no next time to come and correct it,” he said.
“Moama are a great side, on paper it is similar to last year’s grand final team, they have plenty of experience and talent.
“Their top six is as good as any in the competition and coupled with their strong bowling unit are a dangerous side.”
Moama captain Anthony McMahon was also quick to recognise Echuca’s strength as a side while also praising his own players.
“They (Echuca) have been a good side for a long time, so it’ll be a nice challenge for us and be all the sweeter if we win,” he said.
“They have some dangerous players with the bat, so it’ll be about trying to negate that and stop boundaries as well as putting the pressure back on them.
“Saundo (Matt Saunders) has been our most consistent bat through the middle order, he just hasn’t gotten that big score so far.
“Fraser (Buchanan) had a slow start but has hit his straps in the last few weeks as well.
“We are confident we can get it done, we owe them one after last year’s grand final, and it is always a fierce rivalry between us and Echuca so it should be a good contest.”
The Flames came in hot over the final stretch of the home-and-away season and managed to squeeze themselves into finals despite valiant efforts by the Lions and Swans.
Now as they turn towards finals, Fire Brigade and captain Rob Salter are looking forward to their semi-final match-up with minor premiers Rochester.
“The boys are feeling quietly confident, considering we have had a good month, we probably haven’t batted as well as we would have liked, but we have defended some low totals,” Salter said.
“We are gelling well at the right time of year, which is important, so we are looking forward to what’s to come in Rochester.
“Obviously, they will be a tough opponent who is strong across the board, but as long as we play as well as we can, and everyone plays their role we are confident.”
The Flames haven’t appeared in the finals since winning the grand final in 2021 and Salter emphasised that due to the nature of the competition, anything could happen.
“All the pressure is on them being the minor premiers, and we are a pretty young side still, so anything can happen come the finals,” he said.
“We haven’t played finals since we last won the grand final a few years back, so it’s nice to be in again.
“Once you make that top four, the title is really up for grabs. You only have to win two games. We are in form so will go in with plenty of confidence.”
Yet, Rochester will be difficult to stop as they have been the dominant force in the competition all season and has posted an almost-impeccable record at home.
The last time the two sides met was in round six where Rochy came away victorious by a slim margin.
Sean Williams’ 56 was the difference between the two sides with runs proving to be plentiful throughout the season at Rochester Recreation Reserve.
While Echuca and Moama’s contest seems to be a battle of balanced sides, the fight between the Flames and Rochy will be a war of bat and ball, as Fire Brigade have been in red-hot wicket-taking form while the hosts are no stranger to piling on the runs.
Day one of both games will begin at noon this Saturday, March 1.
Cadet Journalist