Echuca is seeking its 11th win from 12 starts this Saturday, with victory over Shepparton Swans set to secure a clean sweep of the Goulburn Valley League for the Murray Bombers.
Echuca remains one game atop the GVL ladder, while the eight-placed Swans are four games off the pace and their finals aspirations looking slim at best despite picking up their third win last week.
Coming off a 153-point blitz of Benalla last week, Echuca coach Simon Maddox said changes to the squad would be minimal for the game at John Riordan Reserve, but said a number of players could be available for selection this week.
“Brady Simpson missed last week with a shoulder injury so if he’s available he could come in,” Maddox said.
“The Pioneers have a bye so Corbin Anderson would be available.
“We’re just waiting on Geelong with Jack Evans and Angus Byrne; they’ve both been playing good football with the Cats so I would expect them to hold their spot in the VFL.”
In seven games for Echuca, Evans averaged 24.6 disposals, 7.4 marks and four inside-50s playing off the wing for the Murray Bombers, a run of form that has seen him provided more opportunities with the Cats.
In Byrne’s sole appearance, he picked up 17 touches, eight marks and two goals in a busy showing against Shepparton Bears in round six.
Head-to-head, GVL Data suggests efficiency may provide the biggest mismatch.
Echuca ranks second in the league for kicking efficiency (64 per cent), and despite Swan’s improving their attack by foot to 66 per cent against United, they rank second-last in the GVL with just 57 per cent of their kicks coming off.
Despite this, Maddox said his side would afford the Swans the respect they deserve.
“They always look competitive,” Maddox said.
“They’ve had some ups and downs, they’re a fairly young side and they have a sprinkling of older blokes.”
The Swans are coming off an impressive 45-point win over Shepparton United last week, mainly on the back of 2021 best-and-fairest BJ Squire.
Squire has been the man for the Swans once again this season, headlining last week’s performance with 31 disposals.
Squire has had no issues finding the football throughout the year, as it was his third straight game over the 30 disposal mark after superb outings against Mooroopna (31) and Benalla (32), averaging 26.7 for the season.
“BJ Squire is a very good player, he had about 40 possessions last time we played them,” Maddox said.
“They have some pretty decent players so we’ll need to show them respect, that’s for sure.”
Of course, the Murray Bombers movers have been in impressive touch.
Echuca forward Ruory Kirkby is coming off a mammoth game, and the midfield brigade of Andrew Walker, Jack McHale, Riley Smith, and Sam Willoughby have been dominant in the centre of the ground.
The Swans’ backline is also set to come under intense scrutiny, with five Echuca players into double-digit goal tallies for the season.
Maddox maintains that worrying about Echuca’s own backyard has kept them in good stead this season.
“No disrespect to Shepp, we know when we play our best footy we’re really hard to beat,” Maddox said.
“I say it a lot, when we get our own backyard right we’re a good side. We talk about our brand of footy and getting our process right, and when we do that the scoreboard takes care of itself.
Head-to-head
Echuca vs Shepparton Swans (Season Averages)
358.7 Disposals 325
64% Kicking Efficiency 57%
99.5 Marks 74
49.7 Tackles 62.1
38.2 Clearances 32.9
44.6 Hitouts 31.3