Echuca was happy to bank four points after it was pushed by a hungry and gallant Shepparton outfit in its Goulburn Valley League clash on Saturday.
The Murray Bombers settled for a 55-point win over the Bears in a clash that would have left coaches on both sides happy with their respective performances.
Echuca lived up to the favouritism tag as it piled on six goals in the first quarter, but the scoring dried up dramatically in the second term with neither side kicking a major at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton.
Shepparton held the dominant GVL reigning premier goalless in the second term — the first side to do so all season.
A 31-point half-time lead expanded to 44 at the final break as Echuca kicked three goals to Shepparton’s one.
Despite an evenly matched final quarter, the result was never in question as the Murray Bombers kept their spot atop the ladder.
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Slick hands: Echuca’s Sam Willoughby gets down to the footy. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
Run of the Mills: Echuca’s Aiden Mills looks for an option. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
Head over the ball: Shepparton’s Tyron Baden. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
Off and running: Shepparton’s Izak Artavilla. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Looking forward: Shepparton’s Xavier Stevenson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Under pressure: Shepparton’s Tyron Baden. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Quick kick: Echuca’s Riley Smith. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
Got a paddock: Shepparton’s Tanner Madigan. Photo by Rechelle ZammitIt was a game many tipped Echuca to win and while co-coach Sam Reid said it wasn’t the best spectacle, they will happily take the points.
“It wasn’t the greatest game, but we’ll take the win,” Reid said.
“As long as we keep winning and getting games into young guys, we’ll be happy.
“The last two weeks we’ve started well, but you just have to keep adapting.
“We’re at the top and teams are coming at us.”
Echuca co-captain Will Monahan starred with three goals, keeping up his consistent start to the season, while Curtis Townrow also earned Reid’s praise after a week off.
“Curt was pretty good down back, he came back into the side and had a really good game,” Reid said.
“Will Monahan is having six, seven shots a week at the moment, he’s on fire and playing really well.
“We’re pretty dynamic down forward at the moment.
“We had around nine goal-kickers again.”
Reid and Logan Prout were also among the best players, while Bryce Stephenson, Ned Byrne and Tyron Baden were the pick of the home side’s performers.