Echuca’s dominant start to the Goulburn Valley League season has continued with victory over Shepparton Swans in round four.
The fast-starting Murray Bombers were 102-point winners over the Swans at Victoria Park on Saturday, with a seven-goal first term signalling the reigning premier’s intentions early.
Slick transition play on the Murray Bombers’ part and poor ball use on the Swans’ side had Echuca pile on another five goals to two in the second term, with both Swans goals coming via Tyreece Collison.
On a day of few highlights for the Swans, Nathan Hrovat, Quade Johhnstone and Mason Pedretti were the standouts.
An 86-point lead at three-quarter time ballooned out past 100 with Corbin Anderson’s third goal late in the game confirming Echuca’s second straight triple-digit thumping.
“We had a focus to come out early and have a really good start because our starts have been down,” Echuca co-coach Sam Reid said.
“That set us up for a big win and we managed to get some games into a few of the young guys.”
The Murray Bombers exploited the forward line mismatches as Reid, Anderson, Kane Morris and Will Monahan all booted three goals.
“We obviously ran over them in the end, we were pretty efficient going forward,” Reid said.
“We knew we were probably a bit taller down the forward half. Kane Morris spent a fair bit of time down forward and it worked out.”
With more than five of Echuca’s senior regulars out of action, the clash against the Swans also served as an opportunity to get some games into its young brigade ahead of what will be a crucial period of the season.
This included Thirds-eligible Noah Langborne, who marked his senior debut with a goal late in the game.
“Noah’s a local kid and he performed really well,” Reid said.
“He showed some composure in and around the contest and makes really good decisions.
“He did all pre-season with us and is probably a bit stiff not to be in the Pioneers. He comes out and he plays in the best GV team and performs really well.
“Hopefully they look at him because he can play. His composure for a 17-year-old was very good against some bigger bodies.
“Sam Deola and Hugh Byrne had really good games as well. Hugh gave us a good target up forward, he had about four or five inside-50 marks.”