It was no surprise to see one of the best players in the Goulburn Valley League rise to the occasion on Saturday.
In the top-of-the-table clash against Euroa, Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker showcased why he is regarded as one of the competition’s best.
Walker led from the front with a sublime performance in the round 13 contest at Memorial Oval.
The former AFL star gathered 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, eight clearances, four rebound 50s, three tackles and 10 groundball gets.
At a glance Andrew Walker round 13 against Euroa
Disposals: 22
Contested possessions: 13
Clearances: 8
Kick efficiency: 50%
Handball efficiency: 88%
Tackles: 3
Rebound 50: 4
Inside 50: 3
Walker lined up in the midfield at the first centre bounce of the game and his influence fuelled his side’s dominance.
The Murray Bombers laid nine more tackles than the home side in the first quarter.
Euroa coach Scott Rowan said after the match that “our start was really what cost us with their ability to apply pressure”.
Echuca also won the hit-outs count by six, while the clearances were shared at 10 apiece.
Surprisingly, Euroa won the first quarter disposal count by 30.
But the big difference came in the scoring from inside 50 percentage.
Echuca was able to make the most of its forward 50 entries.
The Murray Bombers chalked up 11 inside 50s in the opening term and scored from 64 per cent of those entries.
Key stats Euroa v Echuca round 13
Disposals
Euroa: 313
Echuca: 287
Contested possessions
Euroa: 138
Echuca: 115
Uncontested possessions
Euroa: 182
Echuca: 175
Marks
Euroa: 92
Echuca: 91
Clearances
Euroa: 39
Echuca: 32
Inside 50
Euroa: 35
Echuca: 41
Tackles
Euroa: 44
Echuca: 55
Kicking efficiency
Euroa: 58%
Echuca: 66%
Clangers
Euroa: 26
Echuca: 19