Saturday evening at Kyabram Recreation Reserve will pit two of the Goulburn Valley League’s most recently successful outfits up against one another as Kyabram hosts the reigning premier under lights.
Echuca will make the trip to Bomberland with confidence in its stride following last weekend’s 98-point dismantling of Tatura, while the hosts come off the back of a gritty 38-point win over Rochester.
Thanks to GVL Data, we delve into the contest with more analysis than before.
One of the biggest eyebrow-raising statistics from last weekend’s round of matches was Echuca’s dominance around clearances and marks inside 50.
Echuca registered 51 clearances to 24, with 17 of those coming from centre clearances — with VFL talent Sam Willoughby (24 disposals, nine clearances) and ex-AFL guns Andrew Walker (32, eight) and Sam Reid (34, nine) enjoying big games.
The Murray Bombers also managed to end the game plus 42 in contested possessions.
Echuca finished with 64 hit-outs and had 20 hit-outs to advantage — ranked fourth overall last week.
So much is said and known about the team defensive system the Murray Bombers operate with, so getting first-use of the ball and getting it in quick inside 50 is crucial.
Something that Kyabram coach Paul Newman highlighted in the build-up to the round two clash.
“We’ve got to compete around the contests and beat them at the source,” Newman said.
“They’re a great team and they run a great system and if you can’t beat them at the source and win that contested ball you’re in a world of trouble.”
Newman said his outfit showed “real urgency” in being first to win the footy last week against Rochester.
Kyabram ended last week’s match with 137 contested disposals and were plus 35 in loose-ball gets.
The Bombers ended up with 90 total ground-ball gets for the match.
Newman was happy with his side’s overall pressure and with plus 71 for the match, 147 in total to be the number one ranked team last week, it’s no wonder why.
Kyabram had 76 pressure acts in round one compared to Echuca’s 29.
Tom Burnett led the way with 10, while star on-baller Kaine Herbert racked up eight to go with his 35 disposals.
Lastly, Kyabram’s intercept possessions and the way it scores off them will be an asset on Saturday night.
Kyabram chalked up 67 intercept possessions, with Brad Whitford’s 12 in total a standout, and ended the game with 25 intercept marks.
Echuca was able to defend the ball well against Tatura and finished with 61 intercepts and 20 intercept marks.
The contest gets under way at a later start time of 5pm and is certain to be one not to miss.
Key stats (round one)
Contested possessions
Kyabram: 137
Echuca: 151
Clearances
Kyabram: 45
Echuca: 51
Total ground-ball gets
Kyabram: 95
Echuca: 94
Tackles
Kyabram: 58
Echuca: 84
Pressure acts
Kyabram: 76
Echuca: 27
Intercept possessions
Kyabram: 67
Echuca: 61