Echuca is firmly in the box seat for back-to-back flags.
The Murray Bombers weathered a fierce Kyabram challenge in the first half of Saturday’s semi-final to claim a 16-point win and with it the first spot in the Goulburn Valley League grand final.
A blistering 23-minute stretch of footy either side of half-time proved the difference at Memorial Oval in Euroa after Kyabram led by 16 points midway through the second quarter.
Echuca started well with goals from Hugh Byrne and Sam Willoughby, before Tom Holman booted the first of four goals for the day to get the Bombers on the scoreboard.
Sam Reid kicked three majors for the game, with his first helping the Murray Bombers take a four-point lead into quarter-time.
However, the early stages of the second quarter belonged to Kyabram.
Josh Dillon and Brad Mangan struck quickly before Kyle Mueller’s first and only goal of the day extended the Bombers’ lead to 16 points midway through the term.
It looked as if Kyabram was in the box seat to clinch its first grand final berth since the 2019 premiership.
But as it has done many times through the past two seasons, Echuca did its best work late in the game.
Mitch Wales capitalised on a loose ball 20m out from goal to kick-start a run of six unanswered majors, with Reid the beneficiary of a 50m penalty which allowed him to convert straight in front of goal.
Matt Lias then snatched a Kyabram turnover inside 50 to hand the Murray Bombers the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Cooper Barber put an exclamation point on Echuca’s revival with the goal of the day.
The speedy forward spun out of a tackle and snapped truly from the pocket in the first two minutes of the third quarter to hand his team the perfect start to the second half.
Barber again proved a lethal presence with another goal shortly after and Willoughby’s successful set shot blew the margin out to 24 points.
Anthony DePasquale disrupted Echuca’s run with a dribble on goal, but Hugh Byrne’s second major of the day set the Bombers the task of erasing a 19-point deficit in the final term.
Echuca shut the door on that idea just eight minutes in, slamming home three goals to blow the margin out to 38 points thanks to Barber, Jack Evans and Reid.
Reuben Rode and Holman kicked two goals apiece, while Brad Whitford’s run through the midfield helped Kyabram make a late dash in a fiery final stanza.
But the challenge came too late and the siren sounded with the scoreline reading 15.9 (99) to 11.17 (83).
Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker said it was a “super win” without key players such as Will Monahan, Kane Morris, Cameron Valentine and Gus Byrne.
“It’s a super win and we’re excited for the next few weeks,” Walker said.
“The grunt work in the midfield with Kane Morris out, Liam Tenace and Lachie Watson stood up today.
“(Zac) Norris is a quality ruckman, and we’re a young team and they’re really young ruckmen.
“They battled away and the midfield pressure was outstanding at their feet.
“Joe Guiney running off half-back, his press was excellent.”
Meanwhile, “barometer” Cooper Barber earned special recognition for his four-goal effort.
“One that really stands out for me was Cooper Barber,” Walker said.
“He was electric. He’s the barometer and he’s much loved at our football club.
“He kicked four goals, but it’s the stuff he does off the field and off the ball — he bleeds green. It’s good to see that rewarded.”
While Echuca rests and recuperates over the next 12 days, Kyabram must topple Seymour or Euroa in this weekend’s preliminary final to earn a chance at redemption.
The Bombers’ first half against Echuca will provide the blueprint for their finals campaign going forward.
With Whitford, Holman and Norris all in a good vein of form, Kyabram will back itself to book a repeat of the 2019 grand final.
Meanwhile, Echuca will begin planning for what it hopes will be its first back-to-back premiership since 2001-02.