Echuca and Euroa will meet for the first time since the 2022 Goulburn Valley League grand final on Saturday in a highly anticipated clash at Memorial Oval.
The Murray Bombers were 11.12 (78) to 10.6 (66) winners last year’s GVL classic, and Scott Rowan’s men will be hell-bent on knocking off the ladder-leaders after coming so close in the grand final.
But it will take Euroa’s best to topple the reigning premier, who has gone seven games undefeated to start the season.
The Pies meanwhile sit fifth with a 5-2 win-loss record.
The Murray Bombers were 101-point winners over Shepparton United last round, and the clash against the Pies represents the start of what could be considered Echuca’s first testing block of games for the year.
Echuca’s only victory against a top-six opponent so far was against Kyabram by 21 points in round two, and a win against Euroa would send a timely reminder to the competition.
Like last season, Echuca and Euroa stack up as the first and second-ranked teams in several key categories, with the contested football battle between the two clubs over the past two seasons a highlight.
But upping the pressure gauge around the footy is where Echuca might exploit its rival.
The Pies have the Murray Bombers covered in pressure acts, but tackling pressure, in particular, has plummeted in 2023.
They rate second-last in the league for tackles laid, a deficit they will need to amend if they’re a shot at knocking off the reigning premier.
The first bounce at Euroa will take place at 2pm.
League averages and rankings
Echuca vs Euroa
135.3 (1st) Contested possessions 119.1 (2nd)
344.1 (1st) Disposals 340.3 (2nd)
93.7 (3rd) Marks 86.1 (6th)
55.7 (1st) Inside-50s 43.1 (6th)
39.3 (1st) Clearances 33.4 (7th)
61.3 (2nd) Tackles 49 (11th)
36.3 (10th) Pressure acts 42.3 (3rd)