The Goulburn Valley League’s prime movers were back in full swing, and with the dust settled on round one, we can delve deeper into their starring roles thanks to GVL Data.
Echuca co-coach Sam Reid was the standout of the opening weekend of the 2023 campaign, tallying up big numbers in the Murray Bombers’ 98-point rout of Tatura.
Reid, now into his second season with Echuca, had 34 touches, booted two goals, laid eight tackles and reeled in six marks in a polished all-round showing from the former AFL star.
Sam Reid vs Tatura
Disposals 34
Goals 2
Tackles 8
Kicks 22
Ranking points 172
But Reid wasn’t the only silky mover in the clash, with Sam Willoughby showcasing the skillset that has seen him touted for VFL honours.
Willoughby, one of the GVL’s finest in-and-under players in 2022, hasn’t missed a beat with 24 possessions — 17 contested — to go with a joint game-high nine clearances and 11 tackles.
Andrew Walker (33 disposals) and Matt Lias (26) also picked up a stack of the footy.
Over at Moon Oval, Kyabram was a 38-point winner on the back of a raft of big performances, led by young gun Anthony DePasquale.
The young forward booted four goals in a pivotal display, tallying 23 disposals and nine marks in a performance that turned the tide for the Bombers.
Meanwhile, Toby Wooller and Kaine Herbert were also in the thick of the action as Kyabram overturned a half-time deficit of nine points.
Wooller tallied a mammoth 38 disposals (11 contested) and 12 marks, while Herbert registered a typically classy performance with 35 touches, nine marks, seven tackles and a goal as the Bombers’ inside man ran rampant.
But on the other side of the ledger, Rochester was well served by Blake Evans and Joe Atley despite the defeat, leaving plenty of room for optimism as the club looks ahead to Seymour.
Evans led the way for the Tigers out of half-back, collecting eight rebound-50s and 29 disposals in a measured showing, while Atley was typically busy out of the middle with 33 possessions (11 contested) and seven marks.