The Murray Bombers extended their dominant run at the back end of the season with a convincing victory over Mooroopna in round 14 of Goulburn Valley League.
Both sides came out firing at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, with the home team kicking three early goals to lead midway through the first term before Echuca wrestled back the momentum, nudging ahead by three at quarter-time.
Will Monahan delivered a captain’s knock in the second period, kicking three goals before half-time to lift the visitors out of a tight early contest.
Following an explosive second quarter, there was a lull in proceedings as both teams struggled to kick accurately in the third.
The Cats claimed a pair of goals and Echuca added one, maintaining its 27-point lead heading into the final term.
But it was all Echuca in the fourth quarter; a Sam Willoughby double and cameos by Liam Tenace and Hugh Byrne put the Cats in the cradle, with the home side only managing a lone behind to round out the game.
Despite an early scare, Echuca 14.20 (104) conquered the Cats 7.5 (47) to maintain their strong case to be crowned GVL champion in 2024.
Captain Monahan and Willoughby kicked a trio of maximums each to steer the Murray Bombers to a comfortable win, with Daniel Willis, Benjamin Reid, Jack McHale and Harry Milburn joining Willoughby in Echuca’s best.
Echuca’s ninth win in a row has kept it at the top of the standings, with Shepparton only trailing by percentage in second after claiming a resounding victory over competition dark horse Rochester.
Echuca’s schedule for the remainder of the season is interesting.
It returns home to face Euroa thsi week before a rematch against Rochester, the only team to defeat it this year, in round 16.
It will have a bye in round 17 before finishing the season against eighth-placed Shepparton Swans at Princess Park.
There is a real possibility that Echuca may remain undefeated for the remainder of the season, with the Tigers’ spectre the only real threat to the Murray Bombers for the rest of the way.