Echuca continued its unblemished start to the season with a comfortable 12.12 (84) to 4.5 (29) win over Shepparton on Saturday, ensuring it keeps a hold of top spot on the ladder for another week.
The Murray Bombers have enjoyed first use of the ball all season after dominating the clearances, averaging 42 per game so far this season, which is clearly the best across the league.
Yet the Bears managed to outdo the reigning premier on the weekend, recording 41 clearances to 38, marking the second consecutive match where the Murray Bombers have been beaten at the stoppage, having lost the count 32 to 37 against Shepparton Swans in round four.
While the men in green still average the most clearances per game league-wide, a poor return at the coalface against a fellow top side such as Seymour or Euroa could prove interesting.
Shepparton may have won the clearances, but around the ground it was a different story, as Echuca was well on top, winning the disposals (plus-25), contested possessions (plus-23), intercept marks (plus-12), and also forced the Bears to turn the ball over 73 times as opposed to 63 turnovers of their own.
The Murray Bombers went inside-50 18 more times than their opponents (50 to 32) and recorded 15 marks inside the arc, scoring 7.4 (46) from this source. The Bears, on the other hand, scored just a solitary behind from their six marks inside-50.
On an individual level, Sam Reid was spectacular again for the victors, recording 33 disposals, 22 contested possessions and a whopping 15 clearances on his way to 147 ranking points, in what was a clear best-on-ground performance.
Key stats: Echuca vs Shepparton
Clearances: 38 to 41
Disposals: 332 to 307
Contested possessions: 161 to 138
Intercept marks: 20 to 8
Inside-50s: 50 to 32
Marks inside-50: 15 to 6
Turnovers: 63 to 73
Disposal efficiency: 65% to 57%