In the highly-anticipated under-16 clash, it was Shepparton-Notre Gold that got over the talented Echuca by 20 points at Emmaus College on Sunday.
It was an entertaining game, one where Echuca mounted a huge comeback as the Murray Bombers kicked six goals to two in the final quarter, only to end up falling short 18.3 (111) to 14.7 (91).
Gold, coming off a strong win against Shepparton Swans, put an end to its four-game losing streak, while Echuca ― having narrowly beaten Mooroopna ― was sitting pretty atop of the ladder.
Gold sitting in third and tussling for a top four spot with its compatriot Maroon was hoping for a win to cement its spot inside the top portion of the ladder.
The game in which was the highest scoring of the year (a combined 202 points) was a back-and-forth game with many ebbs and flows.
The first portion of the first quarter belonged to the Bears in which they kicked three goals to Echuca’s one in a blistering start to the match.
Echuca responded with a goal by Alex Donchi, followed by another slotted by Cody Walker.
The Bears responded and kicked two more to end the quarter with a buffer.
The Bears were on fire in the second term and kicked six goals to have a 27-point lead at half-time.
Bears’ accuracy in front of goals helped them throughout the day, highlighted by their solitary point until the final quarter.
Young superstar Cody Montgomery slotted four goals for the home team and received best-on-ground honours, meanwhile, Liam Gronow for Echuca was best for the Murray Bombers.
Max Hooper (one goal), Angus Williams and forward Zac Bathman (three) rounded out the top performers for Bears.
The win for the Bears sets up a tasty encounter against Mooroopna which will shape the top four for the upcoming finals series.
It was a massive round in the league with another upset occuring.
A four-goal final term wasn’t enough for Shepparton-Notre Maroon as Shepparton Swans downed them by 23 points.
It was a big result for the Swans as they were placed bottom of the ladder.
In other games, Mooroopna was able to overcome a defiant Kyabram and ran away the winner by 36 points.
Mooroopna’s Will Emanuelli sits on top of the goal-kicking with 26 goals and his teammate Rhys Osborne sits second on 20.
The footy standard has definitely picked up from where it was a couple of years ago and there are many future superstars ready to pounce into senior grades.
The GMJL is having closer results than previous years, making it a tighter competition which has resulted in an even ladder.
This weekend Shepparton-Notre Gold takes on Mooroopna at Emmaus, Maroon clashes with Echuca and Shepparton Swans take on Kyabram.
Notre Dame Year 10 student Sam O’Brien is currently completing work experience at The News.
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