Echuca president Ash Byrne was almost speechless after the final siren of the Goulburn Valley League senior football clash at Deakin Reserve on Sunday.
Byrne’s Murray Bombers had just rallied to overcome a late Euroa surge and be crowned champions of the GVL, three years after falling short at the final hurdle.
“That’s pretty awesome,” Byrne said.
“There’s no doubt about that.
“The boys have done an amazing job all year and have worked so hard for it for a long time.
“Euroa were sensational today.
“It showed a lot of character to come back from where they were (when the Magpies hit the front late in the last).
““Hopefully they all hang around and get a feel for what it tastes like and are keen to go again next year.”
But it was not just about the senior footballers.
Echuca fielded six sides across the nine grades of football and netball on offer, taking four premierships back home to Victoria Park for what will be a celebration for the ages.
“To get four out of six is amazing, and the kids who got beaten (15-and-under netball and under-16 football) will all be better for the experience and they’ll have that hunger to go again next year, hopefully,” Byrne said.
“It’s been a great day. We’re very lucky — very, very lucky.”