The final countdown is upon us.
Echuca and Kyabram are left standing at the business end of the Goulburn Valley League senior football campaign and this contest will by no means be decided on paper.
Although Kyabram was required to take a longer path to its grand final berth, these numbers certainly shape a battle between the two best teams in the league.
Leading the Bombers’ attack inside 50 is perennial standout Kaine Herbert, whose 6.8 average entries a game topped full-time players throughout the league.
Complementing Herbert at the stoppages, as always, will be star ruckman Zac Norris, who put up astonishing numbers around the ground in almost doubling any other player for total gathers (172; 76 clear of second place) and topping the league in clearances (8.8 a game).
Echuca v Kyabram - tale of the tape (average a game)
Intercept possessions: 54.3 (1st) v 52.4 (2nd)
Inside-50s: 52.4 (1st) v 48.1 (2nd)
Contested marks: 16.4 (2nd) v 17.0 (1st)
Centre clearances: 11.6 (1st) v 10.9 (2nd)
Tackles inside forward 50: 12.3 (1st) v 10.4 (2nd)
However, one cannot ignore the presence of renowned hard-nut Sam Willoughby, who has two factors of danger involved.
Not only was he one of the most relentless tacklers in the game all year (second overall, first in midfield tackles), but the Echuca skipper has more than stood up when the chips were down.
Willoughby, hoping to lead Echuca to back-to-back senior flags, was recognised as best afield across the league finals series after last year’s premiership triumph over Euroa.
Where the battles inside the arc are concerned, the key position battle should be fascinating as offences seeking tall targets will face an equally tall order.
Echuca’s Liam Tenace may not have dominated league goal-kicking charts ― he remained scoreless in the semi-final and focused on ruck duties ― but he certainly offered the most in the air.
Tenace handily led all players with 66 contested marks in addition to ranking 10th for goal involvements, demonstrating undeniable prowess as a dual-position player.
As highlighted in previous GVL Data instalments, though, the Bombers are capable of mounting pressure through defensive interceptions which become offensive forays that can match it with anyone, even in the potential absence of competition-leading intercept marker Lachie Smith.
The last outing between these two clubs was only a fortnight ago, with the Murray Bombers doing just enough at Euroa to earn the week off ahead of the decider with a 16-point win.
A barnstorming third term did the damage on that occasion, with Kyabram going on to post the highest-scoring quarter (5.4) either side could muster against one another this season in the final half-hour of the semi, though ultimately in vain.
Prediction
Winner: Echuca 17.11 (113) d Kyabram 13.9 (87)
Wilf Cox Medal: Sam Reid (Echuca)