Echuca picked up a pivotal win over rival Euroa in a dour round-eight contest at Memorial Oval, and the numbers confirm there was not much to split the two sides.
But there were two crucial categories that saw Echuca clinch a low-scoring win in the grand final rematch.
With the two clubs renowned for their physical clashes in recent seasons, pressure around the contest has been the area where these games have been won and lost, and it is what helped the Murray Bombers in the 6.11 (47) to 5.8 (38) win.
Echuca enjoyed 25 more contested possessions than Euroa, and heading into the final quarter with a one-point lead, the Murray Bombers trumped the Pies in the category +10.
And while Euroa proved better aerially, Echuca was allowed too much unrestricted ball movement in that fateful final term, out-marking Euroa 31-13 in the fourth quarter — 29 coming uncontested opposed to the Pies’ eight.
The Game
Echuca vs Euroa
290 Disposals 280
126 Contested Possessions 101
82 Marks 86
9 Marks Inside-50 17
34 Hit Outs 37
34 Clearances 34