In two years, only one team has toppled reigning premier Echuca in the Goulburn Valley League.
That team was Mooroopna, and the last time these two clubs met on the field an absolute classic unfolded at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
The Cats pulled off an almighty upset against Echuca in round 18 last year, needing a win over the previously-undefeated Murray Bombers to scrape into Goulburn Valley League finals.
They did just that, claiming a famous one-goal victory with Echuca swallowing a humbling defeat before finals.
The fierce recent rivalry will be renewed on Saturday at Victoria Park in what shapes as a highly-anticipated clash.
Echuca remains undefeated, coming off a nine-point win over Euroa last round, while Mooroopna is sitting in fourth spot with a 6-2 win-loss record after toppling last year’s preliminary finalist Mansfield by 58 points.
While the Murray Bombers will come in as favourites, the Cats will bring some hefty momentum into the game.
John Lamont’s men have relied on their pressure through the midfield to feed lethal forward duo Chris Nield (22 goals) and Jackson Trengove (24), ranked first for midfield tackles a game and second in the league for clearances.
But Mooroopna will need to beat Echuca at its own game if it is to win, with the Murray Bombers leading the competition for clearances, contested possessions and inside-50s.
Head to head
Season averages
Disposals
Echuca: 337.4
Mooroopna: 315
Turnovers
Echuca: 64.3
Mooroopna: 59.8
Inside-50s
Echuca: 54
Mooroopna: 43.4
Marks inside 50
Echuca: 19
Mooroopna: 12.9
Tackles
Echuca: 60.6
Mooroopna: 60.3
Clearances
Echuca: 38.6
Mooroopna: 38.3
Key match-ups
Mooroopna’s Ethan Hunt has been in imperious form for the Cats, averaging 31 disposals, 12 contested possessions, and six clearances.
Echuca will be wary of Hunt but Sam Reid is in a purple patch of his own. From his last three games, Reid has averaged 22 disposals, 12 contested disposals and booted nine goals in a dynamic midfield role.
While the numbers tip in Echuca’s favour, they have been dealt an early blow at the selection table.
The reigning premier will be without consistent midfielder Matt Lias (23 disposals, eight contested possessions per game) who copped a one-game suspension stemming from last week’s Euroa clash.
A swathe of experienced stars are beginning to make their way back into the line-up for Echuca, with Andrew Walker and Ben Reid still to return to the squad.
Ruckman Kane Morris is expected to make his return from holidays in the coming weeks.
Round nine will also serve as the FightMND round with Echuca and Mooroopna once again combining to raise funds for the fight against Motor Neurone Disease.
Proceeds of iconic blue beanie sales and the Victoria Park gate takings will go to the FightMND organisation, which has been championed by AFL legend Neale Daniher in his fight against the insidious disease.
The first bounce will take place at 2pm.
From the coach
Murray Bombers co-coach Sam Reid
“They were our only loss last year, so we'll be looking to make amends there on our home deck.
“We're looking forward to it, they had a really good win against Mansfield.
“They took us on through the midfield last time and they have a couple of handy players.
“I think they're up and about and obviously think they've got the wood over us because of that loss.
“We'll be going out to make amends, no doubt about that.
“I think (Jackson) Trengove kicked eight last week, we'll put some time into him.
“(Cam Valentine) is going pretty well, he's up and about and so is Curt Townrow, we'll back those two in and our backline to get the job done.
“Hopefully we can hold (Trengove and Chris Nield) to little influence.”