Echuca’s midfield, once again, was permitted to stack up the numbers in its 161-point win over Tatura, predominantly in the uncontested football game.
Sam Willoughby’s work at the coal face for Echuca was a highlight for the Murray Bombers, while Mitch Wales’ game drew high praise from co-coach Andrew Walker.
The common thread between the two is that they are some of the hardest workers for Echuca.
Willoughby has been an absolute livewire in the middle of the ground, and GVL Data shows that was again the case against Tatura.
Of his 26 possessions for the game, 16 were contested, and his work around the footy included accruing a game-high 10 tackles, a stat-line Willoughby has comfortably led Echuca in this season.
Add nine clearances, five marks and 14 ground-ball-gets to his name, and Willoughby logged a true midfielders match, earning him player-of-the-round honours.
Wales topped the disposal count with 29, with six marks, 11 handball receives and five clearances in a busy outing, while his efficiency by foot (87 per cent) and hand (93 per cent) was outstanding.
Returning from a strong VFL stint with Geelong, Jack Evans tallied 27 touches, with his bread and butter coming out the back of the contest with 21 uncontested possessions.
The uncontested count was a telling statistic in the Murray Bombers’ domination.
Echuca smashed the uncontested possession count 250-179, with Wales (20) and Evans (21) the driving instigators.
Reid returns in forwards feast
Echuca’s prized off-season addition jumped in for his first game since round one — and he didn’t disappoint.
Former GWS player Sam Reid booted 4.2 in his return to go with 17 disposals and six marks, a promising restart for Echuca.
Reid wasn’t the only beneficiary of Echuca’s inside-50 deluge, combining with Ruory Kirkby and Angus Byrne for 14 of the Murray Bombers’ 27 goals.
Kirkby booted 6.1 and reeled in 11 marks, 10 of which he clunked inside the Murray Bombers’ forward 50.
Murray Bombers mids
Mitch Wales: 29 disposals, 20 uncontested possessions, six marks, 11 handball receives, one goal.
Jack Evans: 27 disposals, 21 uncontested possessions, six marks, five inside-50s.
Sam Willoughby: 24 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 tackles, nine clearances, eight inside-50s.
Forward Dominance
Ruory Kirkby: 6 goals, 16 disposals, 11 marks.
Sam Reid: 4 goals, 17 disposals, 7 marks, 7 contested possessions.
Angus Byrne: 4.1, 17 disposals, 8 marks.