Hunting it down: Echuca's Sam Willoughby hunts the footy on his way to another starring performance for his side.
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Aydin Payne
Echuca fended off a fast-finishing Kyabram on Saturday night to go 2-0 in their premiership defence to start season 2023.
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The Murray Bombers were 13.5 (85) to 8.14 (62) winners over a determined Kyabram, keeping the Bombers at arm’s length as the rain tumbled down in a tense final quarter.
Premiership defender Logan Prout made an immediate impact in his return to the side, while Sam Willoughby shone in difficult second-half conditions to propel the men in green to their second Goulburn Valley League win.
It was Kyabram with the perfect start, however, as Rhys Clark and the dangerous Kyle Mueller booted the first two goals of the game in quick succession.
Hugh Evans and Cooper Barber replied in similar fashion as an old-fashioned shootout looked to be brewing at Kyabram Recreation Reserve before goals to Jack Evans and Matt Lias nudged Echuca ahead by 12 points at quarter-time.
On the mark: Kyabram's Cooper Vick.
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Aydin Payne
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Send it long: Echuca's Aiden Mills.
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Aydin Payne
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Echuca 59
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Aydin Payne
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Flying through: Kyabram's Lachie Smith.
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Aydin Payne
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Sliding through: Echuca's Liam Tenace.
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Aydin Payne
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On the move: Kyabram's Kaine Herbert.
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Aydin Payne
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In possession: Kyabram's Toby Wooller.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
It was the Bombers who came out firing to start the second term, but for all their possession they failed to covert on the scoreboard with Kayne Pettifer’s strike the only major among five scoring shots.
Meanwhile, Echuca made them pay at the other end, notching four majors via Willoughby, Corbin Anderson, Riley Smith, and skipper Will Monahan on the half-time siren to boast a 25-point lead at the main break.
Honours were shared in the third quarter as key defender Lachlan Smith showcased his trademark aerial ability across half-back, repelling Echuca alongside Brad Whitford in defence.
But despite their efforts the Bombers trailled the reigning premier by 30 points heading into the final term, looking for all money like they were out of the contest as the rain started pummelling down.
But two quick-fire goals to Kaine Herbert and Mueller at the start of the quarter had Kyabram roar back into the contest, drawing it within striking distance of Echuca.
Willoughby’s second goal extended the Murray Bombers’ lead, but a goal to Aidan Robinson handed Kyabram a glimmer of hope, a glimmer quickly extinguished by Sam Reid with the sealer to gift Echuca a 21-point win over its fierce rival.
“It was a good game of footy played in good spirits,” Echuca co-coach Simon Maddox said.
“Both sides had a big crack, by the end of the game it became a wet-weather contest and we had to adapt a little bit.
“I thought we were on top and playing all right, Kyabram had a lot of the ball, but we defended really well.
“When the rain came I thought they adapted a bit better than what we did. They got themselves back in the game in the last quarter.
“I expect to see Kyabram there at the pointy end of the year.
“They moved the ball well and they’re going to be a hard team to beat, so to go over there and beat them under lights at Kyabram is a good win.”
Echuca’s back six drew praise from Maddox alongside Prout and Willoughby, who stacked up the possessions to go with his two goals.
“I thought the back six defended really well,” Maddox said.
“They forced Ky to take their shots from difficult spots.
“I thought Logan Prout performed really well off half-back. Him and Sam Willoughby were standouts for me, Andrew (Walker) and Mitch (Wales) also played well.
“It was a real team effort in slogging conditions.”
The result keeps Echuca atop the Goulburn Valley League ladder after two rounds, undefeated alongside Euroa, Mooroopna and Seymour.
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