While you’d expect Echuca’s scoreline to be higher against ninth-placed Seymour, the Murray Bombers still got the job done in round 13.
It wasn’t always pretty for the home side, who got off to a slow start against the visiting Lions, with just a single extra behind giving Echuca a 2.3 to 2.2 lead at quarter-time.
The Murray Bombers found their form in the second quarter, kicking an accurate 4.1 while holding Seymour to a single goal and two behinds to take a 16-point lead at halftime.
The Lions regained composure after the half-time break, kicking three goals and limiting Echuca to three goals, with a single behind to remain within striking distance and enter the final frame.
It wasn’t to be for Seymour, as the Murray Bombers outclassed the Lions in the fourth quarter, kicking five goals and sole behind to Seymour’s pair of goals and a trio of behinds to run away with the victory 14.5 (89) to 8.8 (56).
Cooper Barber was a revelation for Echuca round 13, kicking four goals for the Murray Bombers, his most since his season debut in round 6.
Sam Willoughby also had a day out, kicking three in the contest to elevate his side.
Barber and Willoughby were joined by Lachlan Watson and mainstays Jack McHale and Benjamin Reid as Echuca’s best for the clash.
The Murray Bombers will have an interesting fortnight ahead. Next week, they will travel to face fourth-placed Mooroopna and then return home to do battle with fifth-placed Euroa in round 15.
Can either of these finals hopefuls topple an unstoppable Echuca outfit, which continues to prove it is the team to beat in 2024?
The Game
Scores
Echuca: 2.2, 6.3, 9.4, 14.5 (89)
Seymour: 2.3, 3.5, 6.5, 8.8 (56)
Goals
Echuca: Cooper Barber 4, Sam Willoughby 3, Hugh Byrne 2, Riley Smith 2, Tom Evans,Jack McHale, Tighe O’Brien
Seymour: Riley Mason 3, Chayse Thomson 2, Tom Maloney, Max McLean, Ben Rigoni
Best
Echuca: Sam Willoughby, Cooper Barber, Jack Mchale, Benjamin Reid, Lachlan Watson
Seymour: Ben Rigoni, Nicholas Quigg, Tom Maloney, Seamus Feery, Nathan Beattie